Zucchini and tomatoes. --summertime abundance

There are summertime jokes in the Pacific Northwest about the abundance of Zucchini .  It groes
well in this part of the country in giant proportions if not picked early. 

Stuffed Zucchini

2 medium zucchini
1/2 pound sausage
1/4 cup chopped onion
2/3 cup bread crumbs
1/3 cup milk
1 cup pasta sauce
1/2 cup shredded cheese
1/5 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tsp italian seasoning.

Cut zucchini in half lengthwise.  Scoop out seeds , leaving a 1/4 inch shell.
Chop pulp. set aside.

In skillet, brown meat and onion and add garlic.  Drain meat or use already cooked meat. 
Add pulp, breadcrumbs, seasoning and milk and fold together

Stuff shells.

Place in greased baking pan. Top shells with pasta sauce and cheese. Cover and  Bake at 325 for 30 minutes. 


Summer Pepper Soup. 

1 bacon strip
1 red pepper, chopped
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 cloves garlic
1T tomato paste
1/8 tsp paprika
3-4 drops red pepper sauce

1 cup chicken broth, divided
1T Butter
1T flour
1/2 cup half and half.
1/4 tsp salt

Cook bacon in skillet, remove to drain.  In drippings, cook pepper, onion and garlic. 
Stir in tomato paste , paprika and hot pepper sauce. 
Add 1/4 cup broth. 
Reduce heat and simmer uncovered about 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and cool 10 minutes. 
Puree in blender or food processor. 

In sauce pan, melt butter and add flour to make a roux. Add remaining broth to bake a " white sauce"
Reduce heat to low, Gradually stir in pepper mixture and cream.  heat through.  Add bacon for garnish. 

2 servings.

NOTE: 
This is a case where if you can get the tomato red pepper soup at Costco for 6/10.00 it would be cheaper.  With the boxed soup, I add chopped tomatoes, blue cheese, and basil.  You could omit the bacon and add blue cheese and basil and add chopped tomatoes if you have them in the garden. 

Ordinaily,  the boxed soup is 3.50 or so at the regular grocery stores, and costco doesn't always carry the soup. 

Quick snack cake . ( serve with berries on top in the summer)

1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2/3 cup milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla

In mixing bowl combine dry ingredients. 
Add wet ingredients.  beat for 1 minute. 
Pour into greased 9x9 pan. 
Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes clean. 
Cool on wire rack.  

Thanks for stopping by

Jane