Shelly's Recipe

HAM-STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Category: Zucchini

8 medium zucchini or yellow squash
1/2 lb lean ground beef
1 egg, slightly beaten
2 tbsp grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp leaf basil
1 cup ground or finely chopped cooked ham
2 slices bacon
1 tbsp chopped parsley
1/4 cup chopped onion, green pepper and pimiento
8 ozs tomato juice
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup grated Swiss cheese

Preheat oven to 375. Slice zucchini in half lengthwise and boil 5 to 7 minutes until just tender. Drain and scoop out pulp without breaking skin. Chop pulp and reserve.

Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat and then drain on paper towel. Combine egg, Parmesan or Romano cheese, pepper, leaf basil, and ham with browned hamburger and pulp from squash and mix well. Stuff zucchini shells with the mixture. Place in a lightly greased baking dish just large enough to fit the squash.

To make sauce, fry bacon in a skillet and drain. Add parsley and onion to the grease and fry until browned. Stir in tomato juice, water, and crumbled bacon bits and bring to a boil. Turn down and simmer for 5 minutes. Pour over zucchini and top with Swiss cheese. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes.