Friday, 25 January 2013

Hidden treasure in the courgette garden


25 January 2013

Sometimes when we get home from work there are other things to do other than pick vegetables (first anyway).  We need to talk to the dogs, the goats, the sheep, admire the new calf and generally admire the farm.  This means that sometimes it is getting a little darker when it comes to harvesting dinner.  Courgettes have a nasty habit of hiding and then suddenly leaping out as large things.  The really marrow-sized ones go to the pigs but the middling ones are great as “vegetable casings” (as we used to call them in order to encourage children to eat them) for stuffing.  Lots of things can be used to stuff marrows or courgettes with.  Often leftovers can be turned into an easy meal this way.

Stuffed courgettes
A cup of leftover cooked rice will make enough stuffing to fill courgettes enough for 4 for a side dish or lunch.

1 cup or so of cooked rice
Half a small red onion (ours are still fairly small so I used a whole one)
Handful of raisins
A large handful of fresh herbs, chopped finely
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
4 – 6 middling courgettes or smaller marrows
Grated cheese for garnishing (Parmesan or left over Manchego that has dried out is good)

Mix the filling ingredients, and season.  Cut the courgettes/marrows lengthwise and scoop out the flesh.  Give it to your hens (or pigs).  Fill the skins with the rice mixture and put the courgette boats in a roasting dish.  Sprinkle the cheese over the top.  Pour a small quantity of water into the dish and cover the dish with foil.  Cook the courgettes at 180for about 15 minutes, then remove the foil.  Cook for a few more minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

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