Stuffed Zucchini: Zucchini Ripieni

Mario Batali

Recipe copyright 2000, Mario Batali. All Rights Reserved.

Show: Molto MarioEpisode: Autumn Market

Picture of Stuffed Zucchini: Zucchini Ripieni Recipe Photo: Stuffed Zucchini: Zucchini Ripieni Recipe
Rated 5 stars out of 5
  • Rate This Recipe
  • Read 21 Reviews
Total Time:
1 hr 10 min
Prep
20 min
Cook
50 min
Yield:
4 servings
Level:
--
x

Save To My Recipe Box

Please limit to 20 characters

Saving Recipe

Adding Recipe

Or Do Not Add

Success

This recipe was saved to your Folder_Name folder.

x

Save To My Recipe Box

Please sign in to save this recipe to your Recipe Box!!

25 Characters Max

Enter Time:

:
:

You can create up to five timers

Ingredients

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Trim the zucchini and cut in half lengthwise. Using a spoon or melon baller, remove the flesh making a canal down the center of each zucchini half, leaving 1/4-inch all around and the ends closed. Roughly chop the excess zucchini flesh and set aside.

In a 10 to 12-inch saute pan, heat the olive oil until just smoking. Add the onion and garlic and cook over medium-high heat until softened, about 6 to 7 minutes. Add the zucchini pieces and crumbled lamb and cook until the lamb is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Drain the fat from the lamb mixture and place in a large mixing bowl. Add the eggs, half of the mint leaves and the tomato sauce and mix well. Season both the mixture and the zucchini boats with salt and pepper. Stuff the lamb mixture into the zucchini boats and pile it high. Place in an oven-proof baking dish just large enough to hold all the zucchini and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until crisp on top, and remove. Serve warm or at room temperature and sprinkle with remaining mint leaves.

Basic Tomato Sauce:

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 Spanish onion, chopped in 1/4 inch dice
  • 4 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves, or 1 tablespoon dried
  • 1/2 medium carrot, finely shredded
  • 2 (28-ounce) cans peeled whole tomatoes, crushed by hand and juices reserved
  • Salt, to taste

In a 3-quart saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until soft and light golden brown, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the thyme and carrot and cook 5 minutes more, until the carrot is quite soft. Add the tomatoes and juice and bring to a boil, stirring often. Lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes until as thick as hot cereal. Season with salt and serve. This sauce holds 1 week in the refrigerator or up to 6 months in the freezer. Yield: 4 cups

Print Recipe

COMMENT ON THIS PROJECT

    

Sign in

All fields are required.

E-mail Address:

Password:

Remember me on this computer

Signing in

Please enter your email address and we will send your password

E-mail Address

Your password has been sent and should arrive in your mailbox very soon.

Not a member?

Sign up for My Food Network to share photos, show off your style, and connect to an enthusiastic and helpful community.

It's free and easy.

Review This Recipe

You must be signed in to review this recipe.

Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 21 reviews

  • on July 25, 2011

    Flag

    What to do with all the lovely zucchini from my garden? Cook this wonderful recipe. A real treat. glad I found it.

    people found this review Helpful.
    Was this review helpful to you? Yes | No
  • on September 21, 2009

    Flag

    I only had three zucchini and a half-pound of very lean grass-fed beef, so I filled it out with some sliced mushrooms, sauteing them with the onions and garlic. It turns out I'm rather inept with the melon baller, so it took me awhile to scoop out the zucchini shells, even if I was getting the hang of it by the time I got to the last one. I reduced the olive oil by more than half and used a little more to grease the baking dish (recommended!. And using the lean beef, there wasn't any fat, so it wasn't necessary to drain it. Instead of whole leaves, I coarsely chopped the mint. The mint adds a freshness that melds beautifully with the other flavors. Don't forget to allow the stuffing mixture to cool before mixing in the eggs or the heat will cook the eggs! We enjoyed this as a delicious main course served with a mixed green salad and crusty bread. Wonderful!

    people found this review Helpful.
    Was this review helpful to you? Yes | No
  • on August 19, 2009

    Flag

    Tasted really fresh and interesting. Loved the minty flavor with the lamb! I also added chopped mushrooms with the onion and garlic. I think this would be great to make for company - it's different, easy, tastes great, and looks impressive.

    people found this review Helpful.
    Was this review helpful to you? Yes | No

Next Recipe

Advertisement

Free Recipe of the Day Newsletter

Let Food Network chefs plan what's for dinner, with quick and easy recipes delivered to your inbox daily.

Ads by Google