ISO: ISO Joe- REC Pureed Zucchini in Their Shells

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CathyZ

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Joe, this is a wonderful recipe. I think the original came from Gourmet but I am not certain- it was a long time ago that I first made these. Delicious and gorgeous on the plate

PUREÉD ZUCCHINI IN THEIR SHELLS

6 medium zucchini, unpeeled, ends trimmed and zuchhini scored with a fork vertically all the way around

1 tsp salt

1 T oil

2 slices firm white bread, broken

1 egg

1 extra egg yolk

3T chopped fresh basil

nutmeg, pepper, salt to taste

Preheat oven to 350°

Cut 8-1-1/2" lengths of zucchini. Place cut side down and scoop pulp with a melon baller, leaving about 1/4" walls and bottom. Reserve the pulp. Sprinkle shells with 1/2 tsp salt and invert on paper towels for 30 minutes to leech out the juice.

Chop the pulp in a food processor. With the shredder blade, process ends of zucchini not used for the shells. Heat oil in a large pan, add the pulp mix and cook until dry over medium heat, stirring frequently (takes about 15 minutes) Place bread in workbowl and process until fine. Add rest of ingredients to the pulp and adjust seasonings so mix is highly seasoned. Fill zucchini shells, set in pan and pour 1/4" of water in bottom. Tent with foil and bake 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 20 minutes. Serve immediately.

 
Making these tonight and hoping

for suggestions for vinegar based slaw. This zucchini rec looks great!

 
Wow, thanks Cathy! It would never occur to me to cut them into smaller pieces like this

or to score the skins. I've stuffed them cut in half, but they're big and they don't always cook evenly. I have a vegetable garden this year and I imagine I'll need zucchini recipes. This sounds wonderful.

 
It will "work", Denice but it will change the flavor. Try it and see- maybe it will be terrific!

 
I forgot to add my tweaks- and don't use zukes that are too big- medium is just right

I sweat finely chopped (almost ground) onion and a little garlic then squeeze out as much juice as I can (cheesecloth or a dish towel if I am making a bunch) and add (the onion/garlic not the juice) to the mixture. I usually use a bit more nutmeg but it depends on whether the zuke "meat" is bland or not. Sometimes I put buttered breadcrumbs on top, I have also tried parmesan- both are nice. I can't leave anything alone as you probably know...but the base recipe is excellent on its' own.

 
Cathy

I ended up buying white bread rolls and it worked just fine. They are in the oven now for the first 30 and I will take it down the street to my neighbor's for the last leg!
Also... I went to Kauai and Oauhu 12 years ago after the big storm(can't remember the name). Anyway, we will be going next summer and I would love some suggestions for local restaurants. The "fancy" places are good, but I really love to go to hidden local treasures. I believe we once again will be on Oauhu for this conference.
Thanks in advance!

 
That's too funny...

I was wondering about parm bread crumbs on top. It sure couldn't hurt! I addedred pepper flakes at the last minute. We'll see... I will also add extra basil before I take it over.

 
Let me know how the zucchini turns out- and NFRC inside

The big storm was Hurricane Iniki Sept 11, 1992. Ah yes, remember it well.

Since I am on Kauai I am not the best resouce for little "hole in the wall" restaurants on Oahu- I bet Sandi in Hawaii can give you a lot of choices.

Two of our favorite spots when we go to Oahu are The Pineapple Room at Ala Moana Shopping Center and The Chef's Table out in Hawaii Kai in the same center where the Hawaii Kai Costco is. Another favorite is Hoku's at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Very spendy but just plain excellent.

Kauai has a lot of tiny "hole in the wall" restaurants- almost nothing else- so when we go to the big city (Honolulu on Oahu) we head for places like Ruth's Chris' Steak House and the like.

 
Hi Denise, what kind of cuisine do you like? We have a buncha stuff...

For a Japanese sushi bar, Tokkuri Tei on Kapahulu Avenue is the best. (Sit at the bar!)

For Chinese dim sum, we like Panda Cuisine, on Keeaumoku Street, near Ala Moana Shopping Center (the shopping center has a lot of contruction going on, making way for Nordstrom), but Panda has it's own parking lot downstairs.

For yummy Hawaiian food, People's Cafe on Pali Highway, next to Long's Drug store is great, and you get tons of food.

For a great burger, visit Kua Aina, near Ward Centre (I haven't been there in a while, I think it's still there).

For Vietnamese pho, our favorite is Cuu Long, in the Pearl Kai Shopping Center.

Local style plate lunch - Jurison's in the Waikele Outlets , L & L everywhere

Best Vietnamese-style sandwiches, on fabulous croissants - Ba-Le, various locations

I've also linked the restaurant guide from our largest newspaper. They give out "Ilima" awards, based on reader votes.

Hope this helps!

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/specials/bestrestaurants05/intro

 
zucchini

It turned out great. Did I mention that I added red pepper flakes? The only thing I will do different next time is make more stuffing, like I do with my devilled eggs. ( Isn't it funny that the eggs and simpler food are making a comeback? At least in my neck of the woods!)

 
NFRC: Nordstroms!! I always wondered why you had N Rack and N Shoes but no main store! More

reason to visit!

 
I can't resist putting my favorites forward...

Ditto on Cathy's recommendation of The Pineapple Room in the Liberty House at Ala Moana. We've shared a few lunched there. I'm not a hamburger person but their's is special...as is everthing they serve.

I love Jameson's on the North Shore...probably more for the wine and pupus on the lanai---great salmon mousse served with saltines!

IMHO the best thai food is at Chang Mai's on King Street. Don't ask for "thai hot" unless you REALLY can take it...'cause they're serious. Terrific larb!

 
Liberty House got bought out by Macy's several years ago, Pat- so

The Pineapple Room is attached to Macy's. You probably would barely recognize Ala Moana Center now- better come over and see for yourself- first a little Honolulu shopping spree then a short trip over to Kauai? hmmmm?

(FYI- I have been trying to get Pat to come and help me decorate my house- she is a wizard)

 
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