Harvest Festival - English Baked Stuffed Autumn Marrow/Zucchini

Ingredients

• 1 large marrow, about 1 . 5 kg (Zucchini)
• 500 g minced beef
• 2 medium onions, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
• 1/2 large red pepper, deseeded and finely chopped
• 1 tomato, skinned and chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons tomato puree
• 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• salt
• black pepper
• fresh parsley, to garnish
• oil, to grease
• aluminum foil

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.

2. 2

   Wash and cut the marrow in half, then peel strips of skin with a swivel head vegetable peeler, to create a striped pattern; scoop out all the seeds and discard them. Prick the inside flesh thoroughly with a fork.

3. 3

   Put all the stuffing ingredients together in a large mixing bowl and mix together - I find that it is better to use your hands to bring it all together. (Wet your hands before you start to prevent the mixture sticking to your hands!).

4. 4

   Spoon half the stuffing mixture into each half of marrow, pressing down quite firmly to make the mixture fill the hollows.

5. 5

   Carefully place one stuffed marrow half on top of the other half - see photos - and press together, before wrapping in a large sheet of well greased foil. (I use a low fat olive oil spray to grease my foil.).

6. 6

   Place the foil wrapped stuffed marrow into a large baking tray or ovenproof dish and cook in the pre-heated oven for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, checking after 1 1/2 hours. The marrow should be soft but still hold its shape. (If you use a smaller or larger marrow, please adjust the cooking time).

7. 7

   Take the marrow out of the oven when cooked and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Carefully remove the foil and serve hot, cut into slices, with the juices from the dish poured back over the marrow, or mixed into your tomato sauce if making. Serve with steamed fresh vegetables and mashed potatoes. Garnish with fresh parsley.

8. 8

   This is also wonderful when served with a hot tomato sauce. Gently fry one finely chopped onion with a clove of garlic in a pan until soft and golden; add a tin of chopped tomatoes, gently heat for a further 5 minutes, check for seasoning and add juices from the marrow, salt, pepper to taste. Allow to cool slightly and then blend the sauce in a blender or with a hand held immersion mixer until smooth. Gently re-heat and serve with the stuffed marrow.