Stuffed Zucchinis with Cheese and Italian Sausage

Steven is not the biggest fan of zucchinis but once they're stuffed with cheese and Italian sausage, even he can't resist them. I've converted him to a zucchini lover, albeit a meat-and-cheese stuffed zucchini lover. I've heard of stuffing bell peppers but stuffing zucchinis was a novel idea for me, one which I first saw on Elise's Simply Recipes. One of the great things about reading food blogs is seeing all the creative and delicious ideas bloggers come up with; it becomes addicting!

Stuffed Zucchinis with Cheese and Italian Sausage
Adapted from Elise's Simply Recipes

6 zucchinis
4 Italian sausages
1 14 oz. can of diced tomatoes
2 garlic cloves
2 Tbsp white wine
1/4 tsp ground Italian herb
Optional: fresh basil or other herbs
1 egg
1/2 C grated mozzarella
1/4 C grated Parmesan
Vegetable oil
Salt and pepper

Slice the zucchinis in half lengthwise. Use a spoon and scoop out the insides leaving the zucchinis about 1/4 in thick. Sprinkle the insides of the zucchinis with some salt to draw out excess moisture. Chop the scooped zucchini insides and set aside.

Heat a tablespoon of oil in a nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Brown the sausage and break it up into small pieces. Remove into a mixing bowl and set aside. Add the chopped zucchinis, drained tomatoes, garlic, white wine, dried Italian herb mix, salt and pepper to taste. Cook until all of the moisture has absorbed. Mix in the browned sausage and wait until the filling has cooled.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Drain any moisture that may have come out of the filling before mixing in the cheese and egg. Also drain any moisture that has been drawn out of the zucchinis. Mix the egg and cheeses into the filling and scoop generously into the zucchinis. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the zucchinis have softened.