Sausage and Quinoa Stuffed Zucchini

Submitted by AmyZoe

"This is terrific--and you can make it easier by skipping the boats and just chopping up the zucchini. Regular sausage also works. Serving size is estimated. Recipe courtesy of Eating Well."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 20mins
• Ingredients: 11
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 3 links sweet turkey sausage or 3 links hot turkey sausage, casings removed
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1⁄2 cup quinoa
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup quartered grape tomatoes or 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon fresh marjoram or 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 4 medium zucchini
• 1⁄4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1⁄8 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄3 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese

directions

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Add sausage and onion and cook, breaking the sausage into small pieces, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
2. Add quinoa and water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer, cover and cook, stirring once or twice, until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and stir in tomatoes and marjoram.
4. Meanwhile, cut zucchini in half lengthwise. Cut a thin slice off the bottoms so each half sits flat. Scoop out the pulp, leaving a 3/4 inch shell. Discard the pulp. Place the zucchini in a microwave-safe dish and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover and microwave on high until tender-crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Uncover.
5. Position rack in upper third of oven and preheat broiler to high.
6. Transfer zucchini to a broiler safe pan or pans. Fill with the quinoa mixture and sprinkle with cheese. Broil on the upper rack until the cheese is melted, about 2 minutes.