Friday Family Faves....Zucchini Boats

It's summer, so for most of us that means zucchini, zucchini, zucchini.  Too much zucchini in the garden means having to get creative on how we cook.  Here's something new we tried this week and LOVED...and I even took the time to measure and write down what I did in case it turned out yummy and we wanted to replicate :)

  Enjoy!

1 Zucchini
1c. rice
1-2 tbsp EVOO
2c. Cherry tomatoes, sliced
1/4c diced bell peppers, we used a mix of red, yellow, & orange, but you could use just green if you prefer
1/4c onion, chopped
1.4 tsp minced garlic
1 c shredded mozzarella cheese

*Preheat oven 350 degrees
*Cook whole zucchini is microwave ~5min, cool slightly, & cut lengthwise.  Scoop out seeds and set aside on cookie sheet
*Cook Rice according to package

*Meanwhile, In skillet over medium heat, cook garlic, tomatoes, onion, peppers until tender.  Add salt and pepper to taste and remove from heat

*Add cooked rice to tomato mixture and stir to coat

*Stuff zucchini with rice mixture and top each half with 1/2c. mozzarella cheese.

*Bake for ~25 minutes, until cheese is golden.

For the meat-lovers in the family...feel free to add some chicken into the rice mixture or even some sausage.  For those hard to please kiddos add a little spaghetti sauce to the rice mixture for a thicker coat :)  Great recipe to make your own, add your favorite veggies...mushrooms, shredded carrots, etc...be adventurous.  Enjoy!