Stuffed Zucchini with Vegetable Rice and Cheese

Stuffed Zucchini with Vegetable Rice and Cheese recipe with step-by-step images

Summer offers so many wonderful kinds of fruits and vegetables that I don’t even know where to look first or what to grab.

What a wonderful time of year.

I wish there was a country where they have summer all the time.

Or wait …is there a country like that?

Is there?

Then I’m moving right now!

Anyway, these days I just walk through the supermarket aisles and wait excitedly which one of the luscious beauties will speak to me first.

This time it was zucchini and – mmmm – was that a good choice. It allowed me to prepare this truly light, healthy, playful and flavorful dish.

Your body will thank you if you make it too…

Stuffed Zucchini with Vegetable Rice and Cheese recipe with step-by-step images

The ingredients are – as usual with me – very simple.

‘Cause I like simple…

Stuffed Zucchini with Vegetable Rice and Cheese recipe with step-by-step images

1. First, wash the zucchinis and cut them in half lengthwise.

2. Then, using a spoon, scoop out the flesh and set it aside.

Stuffed Zucchini with Vegetable Rice and Cheese recipe with step-by-step images

3. Place the zucchinis into a baking pan…

Stuffed Zucchini with Vegetable Rice and Cheese recipe with step-by-step images

4. …sprinkle them with salt and drizzle with some vegetable oil (if you want to go super-healthy here, then use olive oil).

5. Pop the baking pan into the oven which you have preheated to 350 F (175 C) and bake for about 10 minutes only.

Stuffed Zucchini with Vegetable Rice and Cheese recipe with step-by-step images

6. In the meantime, chop the flesh you have removed from the zucchinis into little pieces.

Stuffed Zucchini with Vegetable Rice and Cheese recipe with step-by-step images

7. Peel and chop the onion.

Stuffed Zucchini with Vegetable Rice and Cheese recipe with step-by-step images

8. Drizzle a frying pan with a little oil.

9. Add the onion, the zucchini flesh, season it with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper and fry, stirring constantly, for about 10 minutes.

Stuffed Zucchini with Vegetable Rice and Cheese recipe with step-by-step images

9. Then add you wonderful, colorful vegetables and fry for another 10 minutes (or until soft).

10. Cook the rice in the vegetable broth.

The picture above shows the initial stage of the rice cooking. When the rice is cooked it should have absorbed all the liquid.

Stuffed Zucchini with Vegetable Rice and Cheese recipe with step-by-step images

11. Grate the cheese.

I am using Edam here; you can choose any cheese that you like or have in the fridge.

Stuffed Zucchini with Vegetable Rice and Cheese recipe with step-by-step images

12. Now combine the vegetable mixture from the frying pan with the rice and 1/2 cup of the grated cheese.

You can even add a few drops of Worcester sauce – it will ‘lift’ the taste slightly and accentuate the other flavors.

Stuffed Zucchini with Vegetable Rice and Cheese recipe with step-by-step images

13. Stuff the zucchini halves with the rice mixture and cover the top with the rest of the grated cheese.

Stuffed Zucchini with Vegetable Rice and Cheese recipe with step-by-step images

14. And now, just for kicks, sprinkle the whole thing with yummy sunflower seeds (or pumpkin seeds if you prefer those).

The seeds add an interesting and surprising twist to this dish, just try it, it’s fun…

Stuffed Zucchini with Vegetable Rice and Cheese recipe with step-by-step images

15. Put the stuffed zucchinis back into the oven and bake them at the same temperature (350 F – 175 C) for 20-25 minutes.

Stuffed Zucchini with Vegetable Rice and Cheese recipe with step-by-step images

It’s delicious, I’m telling you.

A scrumptious, light summer dish.

Yum!

Enjoy, dear friends.

(This recipe makes 2 portions.)

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