Zucchini Rolls Stuffed With Spinach Pine Nuts Cheese Recipes

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.

PROSCIUTTO-AND-CHEESE-FILLED ZUCCHINI ROLLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a standard-size rimmed baking sheet with parchment. Spray the bottom and sides lightly with cooking spray. Set aside.
• Shred the zucchini on the large holes of a box grater, then transfer to a large bowl. Sprinkle with a good pinch of salt and several grinds of pepper and toss well. Let sit until softened and starting to release some of its natural juices, about 5 minutes. Transfer the shredded zucchini to a clean kitchen towel or damp cheesecloth, then squeeze out as much excess liquid as possible. Reserving the liquid for another use (see Cook's Note), wipe out the large bowl.
• Whisk the eggs, 1/3 cup of the Parmesan, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and several grinds of pepper in the same large bowl until combined. Stir in the zucchini until evenly dispersed throughout the egg mixture. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet, spreading the mixture into a thin, even layer. Bake until just set and opaque (there shouldn't be any browning), about 20 minutes.
• Let it cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then invert onto a clean kitchen towel (not terry cloth) and carefully remove the parchment. Starting at one of the longer ends, roll up the egg-zucchini shell and the towel together into a spiral. Transfer seam-side down to a wire rack and let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, stir the cream cheese, scallions, a good pinch of salt and remaining 3 tablespoons Parmesan in a small bowl until smooth and combined. Set aside at room temperature until ready to assemble.
• Unroll the room temperature egg-zucchini shell, then use an offset spatula to spread on the cream cheese mixture into a thin, even layer. Next, lay the prosciutto slices down on top in an even layer (the cheese should be almost completely covered). Reroll tightly without the towel. Refrigerate until chilled through, at least 30 minutes and up to overnight.
• When ready to serve, use a sharp chef's knife to slice crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick pieces.