Stuffed Zucchini

Tonight's dinner.....was AWESOME.  I don't mean to brag but I will be making this again and again.

I made Stuffed Zucchini inspired by this blog and this blog.

I used the following:

1 large zucchini  (from Farmer's Market last week)
1 small squash  (from Farmer's Market last week)
1 red bell pepper
1 green bell pepper
1 small onion
1 small tomato (Tomato 11 from my patio/deck garden
Bacon or Sausage (I used bacon)
Minced Garlic
Whole grain brown rice (I used 90 second rice packs)
Black pepper
Red Pepper flakes
Olive oil
Parsley flakes
Shredded parm or mozz cheese (optional)
sour cream (optional)

First off, put your bacon on a foil lined cookie sheet and bake on 350 degrees until cooked to your liking.  If you're using sausage then go ahead and cook it up. While the bacon is baking you can chop up your squash, onion, peppers, and tomato.  Wash your zucchini real good and cut it in half.  (I cut the ends off but you don't have to....try to cut it evenly)  With a spoon, scoop out the flesh of the zucchini.  Cut up the flesh into small pieces.  Once the bacon is done, take a paper towel and pat the grease out of the bacon.  Chop up the bacon into little pieces.

Take your zucchini boats and put them on a foil lined cookie sheet.  Drizzle some olive oil and let them bake up in the oven.  It will make them nice and tender.

While the zucchini boats are in the oven.....In a big pan with oil and minced garlic cook your onions for about 2 minutes.  Then add your peppers and cook up another 2 minutes.  Stir in your squash, zuchinni, tomato and bacon.  Sprinkle in black pepper, parsley, and red pepper flakes.  Mix in your whole grain brown rice and let everything cook together for a few minutes.  Be sure to stir constantly.

Take the zucchini boats out of the oven and add your mixture.  Then enjoy!  You could top with some cheese if you'd like and put in the oven till cheese melts.  I didn't add cheese.  I just topped with a little more black pepper.  I served leftover mixture on the side of the zucchini boat.