Greek Stuffed Zucchini Recipes

GREEK STUFFED ZUCCHINI STEW (IN EGG & LEMON SAUCE)

Steps:

• Cut off the tops and bottoms of the zucchinis. Rinse them well and then cut them in half about 2,5 inch / 7cm each piece.
• Using an apple corer, remove most of the insides of the zucchini. Creating 1 cm / 0.4 inch thick cylinders.
• Prepare the filling in a bowl by mixing together the ground beef, red onion, spring onion, parsley, dill, rice, and the 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Season the mixture with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Knead the mixture for 2 minutes.
• Start filling the zucchinis by pressing the ground beef mixture into the hole with your finger. Press on both openings to make sure there aren't any air gaps left, inside the zucchini.
• Place the stuffed zucchinis tightly together, inside a cooking pot or stockpot.
• Pour in enough water to cover, and heat over medium-high heat.
• Once the water starts to boil, skim off the foam that will form on the surface. Then reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer covered for about 1 hour.
• Once the water has reduced to almost half, turn of the heat.
• Start making the sauce. In a small saucepan, whisk together the flour and olive oil to create a thick flour paste. Heat mixture over high heat and cook for 2 minutes. Then using a ladle, start adding spoonfuls of the water from the pot with the zucchinis, into the flour mixture. Keep whisking and adding spoonfuls, until you have incorporated at least 2/3 of the water.
• In a mixing bowl whisk the eggs until slightly foamy. Take a spoonful of the sauce you've just made and very slowly (threadlike) pour it into the eggs while you whisk the eggs constantly. Keep doing this until all the sauce is into the eggs. Pour in the lemon juice + zest as well. Then transfer everything back to the pot with the zucchinis.NOTE: Place a wet sponge cloth under the bowl with the eggs so it will stay in place while you whisk the eggs.
• Shake the pot for the sauce to spread evenly. Turn heat to low, taste the sauce and add extra salt or pepper if needed. Cook for 2-3 minutes for the sauce to combine with the zucchinis.
• Remove from heat and ideally let the food stand for 30 minutes before serving. Then serve with a bit of extra fresh dill on top, freshly ground pepper and a few drops of lemon if you like.

MEDITERRANEAN STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Use a melon baller to separate and remove seeds and pulp separately from the zucchini, carving out each half and leaving about a half-inch shell. Chop zucchini pulp into pieces about 1/4 inch in diameter. Discard seeds.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion and garlic in hot oil until tender, about 5 minutes. Add ground lamb; continue to cook and stir until lamb is lightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir chopped zucchini into the lamb mixture. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer mixture until the zucchini is hot, about 3 minutes. Drain excess grease. Season lamb mixture with coarse salt and black pepper.
• Remove skillet from heat. Stir tomato sauce, tomatoes, feta cheese, pine nuts, and 1/4 cup mint leaves through the lamb mixture; spoon into the zucchini halves. Put stuffed zucchini halves into a large baking dish. Pour water into the baking dish.
• Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Mix bread crumbs and mozzarella cheese in a bowl. Sprinkle 1/4 cup mint leaves over the zucchini and top with the bread crumb mixture. Continue baking until the top is crusty and browned, about 10 minutes more.

GREEK STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Slightly brown the meat, drain if needed.
• Add the seasonings.
• Cook onions and the garlic in the olive oil.
• Add wine and tomato then cook your mixture 30 minute.
• Let it cool slightly, then quickly stir in the egg whites and bread crumbs.
• Set aside while preparing the zucchini.
• Trim both ends of the zucchini and slice in halves lengthwise.
• Parboil them for 3 minutes in salted water.
• Carefully, remove onto paper towels and drain.
• Place into an oiled, flat roasting pan.
• Scoop out the centers discarding the pulp.
• Spoon the meat filling into the shells.
• Top each with bread crumbs, moistened with oil or butter.
• Sprinkle with the grated cheese over all.
• Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes or until crumbs are golden and the zucchini are very tender.

GREEK TOMATO FETA FRITTERS (DOMATOKEFTETHES)

Steps:

• Stir together tomatoes, zucchini, green onions, kosher salt, sugar, black pepper, oregano, and cayenne in a bowl to combine.
• Let sit for 15 minutes for the sugar and salt to draw out liquids from the vegetables.
• Stir the tomato mixture; add parsley, mint, and basil. Crumble in feta cheese. Add flour and baking powder; mix with a spoon until combined. Batter should be relatively loose but will hold its shape on a spoon. If too loose, add more flour; if too dry, add some water until desired consistency is reached.
• Wrap the bowl in plastic wrap and let chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
• Heat 1 inch of vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), or use a deep fryer.
• Place heaping tablespoonfuls of batter in the hot oil; reduce heat to medium. Fry until golden brown and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Flip once more and fry for an additional 30 seconds, if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.

GREEKED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Spray a large piece of aluminum foil with nonstick cooking spray. Layer the zucchini, onion, pepper, and olives onto the center. Sprinkle with feta cheese, and drizzle with vinaigrette. Fold into a packet and seal the edges.
• Bake in preheated oven until vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes. Open the foil packet, turn the oven onto Broil, and broil until the feta lightly browns. Add the grape tomatoes and serve.