Mediterranean Stuffed Zucchini

Ingredients

• 1 extra large zucchini, halved lengthwise
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 sweet onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• 1 pound ground lamb
• Coarse salt to taste
• Ground black pepper to taste
• 1 (16 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/2 cup pine nuts
• 1/4 cup mint leaves
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup mint leaves
• 3/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
• 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).

Use a melon baller to separate and remove seeds and pulp separately from the zucchini, carving out each half and leaving about a half-inch shell. Chop zucchini pulp into pieces about 1/4 inch in diameter. Discard seeds.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion and garlic in hot oil until tender, about 5 minutes. Add ground lamb; continue to cook and stir until lamb is lightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir chopped zucchini into the lamb mixture. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer mixture until the zucchini is hot, about 3 minutes. Drain excess grease. Season lamb mixture with coarse salt and black pepper.

Remove skillet from heat. Stir tomato sauce, tomatoes, feta cheese, pine nuts, and 1/4 cup mint leaves through the lamb mixture; spoon into the zucchini halves. Put stuffed zucchini halves into a large baking dish. Pour water into the baking dish.

Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Mix bread crumbs and mozzarella cheese in a bowl. Sprinkle 1/4 cup mint leaves over the zucchini and top with the bread crumb mixture. Continue baking until the top is crusty and browned, about 10 minutes more.