It’s literally been years since I have posted anything on this blog, but recently a few people asked for my recipe for a zucchini bake I made and I thought this would be the best way to share it.  So I beg here for some leniency on my recipe writing skills.  I am a home cook, not a chef and I am definitely not a recipe writer.  A lot of the way I cook is w/ a pinch of this and a dash of that and just base things on taste, my taste, so please be kind and feel free to ask me any questions if I am not clear.

3 Zucchini
1 large onion
Handful grape / cherry tomatoes sliced in half
1 jar GOOD tomato sauce
1 – 1 1/2lbs ground turkey or chicken (I like mine meaty)
Shredded mozzarella (I use low fat)
Parmesan Cheese
Garlic powder
Salt & Pepper
Italian seasonings
Oil (your preference, I prefer avocado oil)

Slice zucchini into rounds and lay flat on paper towel, salt for at least 30 minutes (I actually left mine for 3 hours).  The longer you leave salt on them, the more water you can draw out and the less baking time the dish will need. So I prepped mine in the morning then went about my day.

Once you dry off the zucchini, place them in a large baking dish, toss with some garlic powder (I use good garlic powder from Penzeys Spices) and baking for 15 minutes at 425 degrees while you prepping the rest of the dish.

In a large sauté pan, sauté the onions w/ salt, pepper & garlic until they soften. Add your ground meat to the pan, season w/ S&P, garlic and Italian seasonings and cook until browned.  Then add jar of sauce to the pan and I like to “doctor it up” by adding some additional seasonings. Let this simmer for 10 minutes so the flavors marry.

By this time you would have taken your zucchini out of the oven.  Combine the zucchini with the sauce mixture into the baking dish and toss in the tomatoes you already sliced in half. Top w/ cheese (however much you like) and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.   Top w/ fresh grated parmesan cheese before serving (I use a microplane and grate it fresh).

I have no idea how many calories are in a serving, no idea of how many carbs, sugar or fat. Nor do I care. It’s all healthy and delish!

As Mason now says before a meal, “bon appetit”!