Eight-Ball Zucchini Parmesan

Ingredients

• 1 (1-ounce) slice French bread, torn into small pieces 


• 6 eight-ball zucchini (about 1 1/2 pounds) 


• 1/2 cup packed spinach leaves


• 8 basil leaves


• 2 garlic cloves, minced


• 1 small onion, peeled and quartered (about 5 ounces) 


• 3/4 teaspoon olive oil 


• 1 cup chopped plum tomato


• 1/2 teaspoon salt


• 1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese


• Flat-leaf parsley sprigs (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°.


2. Place bread in a food processor; pulse 10 times or until coarse crumbs measure 1 cup. Set aside.


3. Cut each zucchini in half lengthwise; scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/4-inch-thick shell. Set pulp aside. Steam zucchini shells, covered, 6 minutes or until tender. Drain, cut sides down, on several layers of heavy-duty paper towels.


4. Place zucchini pulp in food processor; process until finely chopped. Spoon into a bowl. Place spinach, basil, garlic, and onion in food processor; process until finely chopped.


5. Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add spinach mixture; cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add zucchini pulp, tomato, and salt; cook 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in breadcrumbs.


6. Fill each zucchini half with about 2 1/2 tablespoons zucchini mixture. Sprinkle evenly with cheese. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until cheese melts. Garnish with parsley, if desired.

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