Stuffed Zucchini with Dill and Almonds

Leave a comment

This dish brings zucchini to the forefront, and is perfect for those oversized zucchinis nestled among the leaves and blossoms in your garden.

zucchini stuffed

Stuffed Zucchini with Dill and Almonds

1 very large zucchini (or about 5 pounds worth of zucchini)
1 cup ground almonds
1 tablespoon coconut flour or 3 tablespoons sorghum flour
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 scallions, chopped (just the greens)
1/4 cup packed chopped fresh dill
2 teaspoons nutritional yeast flakes
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Sea salt to taste and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Cut zucchini in half lengthwise. Cut each length in half width-wise. Place in a large pot with about 1 inch of water. Cover and cook on medium to steam. This took my 5lb zucchini about 15 minutes. It should be tender, but not too soft.

Once steamed, scoop out the innards (tip: use a melon baller), leaving about 1/2-inch border. Put the innards in a food processor and process until smooth. Transfer the innards to a bowl. Mix with the remaining ingredients, seasoning to taste. The mixture should be the consistency of drop cookie dough. If it is too wet, add a little extra flour.

Preheat the oven to 350F. Place the zucchini in a glass dish, and use a paper towel to blot the insides for excess moisture. Season with salt and pepper. Scoop the almond mixture into each zucchini. Bake for 35 to 50 minutes, until zucchini is cooked through and filling is browned. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Serve with lemon slices.

Note: if you use small zucchini, you may need to lower the baking time.

Mini Black Bean and Rice Burgers

2 Comments

These kid-friendly burgers are great cold, so perfect for packing in lunches. I love them dipped in salsa or mustard, or crumbled into pita pockets for on-the-go.

Mini Black Bean and Rice Burgers with Salt and Lime Chips2

Mini Black Bean and Rice Burgers

2 teaspoons coconut oil, divided
1/2 red pepper, chopped
1/2 small red onion, chopped
1 can (14 oz) unsalted black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup cooked brown basmati rice
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon arrowroot flour
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed

Heat one teaspoon of oil in a skillet and sauté the pepper and onion together, just until they start to soften. Remove from heat.

In a medium bowl, use your hands to mash the black beans — it’s the most effective way — then add the peppers and onions. Mix well, then add the remaining ingredients, combining well. Let mixture sit for half an hour or more — this step can be made in advance.

Heat the grill to medium. Use your hands to form patties. Put the patties on the grill and cook for about five minutes until fragrant with grill marks, then turn once, cooking through on the other side. Serve on a bun with your favourite condiments.

Fudge-Filled Chocolate-Coated Banana Pops

4 Comments

Inspired by a Dairy Queen delicacy, bananas, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and chocolate give the illusion of overpriced indulgence made in a few minutes at home. With a chocolaty almond fudge filling and a solid chocolate coating, creamy frozen bananas can battle any ice cream bar in this customizable treat that everyone will love.

banana pops

Fudge-Filled Chocolate-Coated Banana Pops

For the almond chocolate fudge filling:
1/2 cup roasted creamy almond butter
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons dark unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

4 medium bananas, peeled and cut in half length-wise
8 dowels or popsicle sticks

For the chocolate coating:
1 cup nondairy semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon coconut oil

To assemble:
Toppings, such as chopped toasted almonds, sunflower seeds, gogi berries, coconut flakes, rice crisp cereal, candied ginger, hemp seeds, trail mix, grated orange peel, et cetera

To make the filling, put the almond butter, maple syrup, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Mix until smooth. Spread the mixture on each banana half. Put a dowel in the filling (so it sticks), then top with the other banana half. Freeze on a waxed paper-lined plate or cutting board in the freezer until the bananas are frozen and the fudge is firm, about 3 hours.

To make the coating, put the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30 second intervals on medium-power, stirring between each one, until melted and smooth. It is easiest if the melted chocolate is in a shallow bowl for dipping, so scrape the mixture into one if desired.

Working with one banana pop at a time, spread whichever topping you are going to use for the first banana on a plate. Once you dip the banana pop in the chocolate, it will harden quickly, so you want to work quickly. Dip the banana pop in the chocolate, then either roll it in the topping of choice or sprinkle it on. Return the pop to the waxed paper. Repeat with the remaining pops. Freeze until the coating is solid and the banana, if it thawed at all, has rehardened. Serve from the freezer, and store extras in a sealable container or plastic bag in the freezer.