Eating The Harvest: Stuffed Zucchini!

"Sookini"

Hey look a recipe! Haven't had one of those in awhile.

I don't have a picture because... Well because we ate it before I could take one!

Have you ever turned your back on a zucchini plant for a day or two and wound up with ridiculously sized zucchini?

This year, having plants that actually produce things now (as opposed to last year, which was a bust), we are starting to be invaded by the long green monsters. I had sort of thought about trying stuffed zucchini, but didn't think I had any big enough. I walked out back, since it had been a few days, thinking maybe I would get lucky and 'Lo and Behold! A giant "Sookini"! Perfect!

So, here is what I did last night to make stuffed zucchini. I looked up a recipe, but just kind of winged it aside from the oven temp and tomato sauce part.

Stuffed Zucchini
1 large zucchini
1 lb ground beef
1/2 onion, diced
1 C cooked rice (leftover from the night before!)
1 egg
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 C marinara/spaghetti/tomato sauce (you know, whatever ya' got)
A bit of swiss or mozzarella (shredded or sliced)

Preheat oven to 350*.

Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. You may need to dig out a bit of extra flesh in order to make a generous sized cavity for the meat.

Place meat, onion, rice, egg and seasonings into a large bowl, along with about a third of the seeds/flesh that you have chopped. Mix together really well.

Stuff into the zucchini "boats". It will be mounded way over the top, that's ok.

Place stuffed zucchini into a greased 9 x 13 baking dish, then spoon tomato sauce over the top. Cover with however much cheese you like.

Bake for about 1 hour - 1 hour 15 minutes until meat is cooked through.

I am happily surprised to say that everyone ate this! And it was surprisingly delicious! The kids even ate a bit of the zucchini even though they're not big fans. (Except Duder. He eats "every stuff" - his words.) I think I'll be making this more often as a good way to use up those giant zuccs.

Happy Eating,
Meg

2012 Resolutions Revisit

It's the middle of the year! (Umm, how did that happen?). And that means a my new year's resolution revisit to see how things are going.

1. Learn & Create!

Boy have I been learning and creating! And it's been wonderful! So many pattern ideas and creations for knitting, a few sewing projects, and I have been reading and learning loads about homeschooling, gardening, knitting, food, and more! Best resolution ever!

2. Have another small creature. This should be done in about two months. ;)

Done!

3. Work on organization! I'm already a fairly organized (read: ever-so-slightly anal) person. But with a new one coming and giving up our office in the next year, things will need to be even more organized than they are already. So, I will be working on ways to get that done. Ok so it mainly pertains to my voluptuous stash of yarn... 

Not exactly as far as I could be on this, but I'm working on it. I think further organization will require getting rid of more excess stuff. I have been working on getting paper-type things into binders instead of floating around the office.

4. Get out of my cooking slump. I have been making the same stupid, boring things over. And over. And over again for months. I need to try some new recipes and find some exciting things. I like casseroles and crock pot recipes for their ease and ability to feed 3 hungry boys and a hungry man, especially with a new babe in tow. If y'all have any suggestions, that would be appreciated.

Well I have been trying new recipes and it has been very nice. The change of culinary scenery is wonderful. I have made some new things like Hungarian Goulash, Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan, different methods to cook our garden harvests, and more.

5. Knit 10 miles. One of these years I will do it! I. WILL. DO. IT.

Ok, I think I would like to formally ask permission to give up on this one. I just don't have the knitting mojo to push myself to get this much done.

6. Make this sweater. I have been drooling over it for a year now. And with yarn gift cards for Christmas I think it might be a possibility this year!

This ain't happening.  I looked up the price for even cheapy natural fiber yarn (not acrylic) and it was near $100. Sorry, but I don't think I love that sweater THAT much.

I think I am really just happy with the "learn and create" portion of my list this year. I have enjoyed taking the time to learn about all kinds of things, or different techniques for things I already know. I am currently obsessed with gardening. We are planning to go for a winter garden this year as well, now that we know what plants grow in what seasons. The process of organic pest control with companion planting is really intriguing and I'm trying to soak up as much as I can about it.   

How are your resolutions going (if you made any)?

Meg

Whoops

I forgot to show the full finished picture of the butterfly shawl. This is while it was blocking. I don't have any better pictures yet.

Pretty close, eh?
Meg

Life Without Internet Means...

Poptarts - the solution to a pantry overflowing with jams

Baking!

Veggie Picking!

Harvest Preserving

Reading Countryside magazine (I'm so in love with this magazine I ordered back issues)

Reading other stuff

Dress Making

School Planning

And just relaxing in general.

The only time I got on the internet was to do banking or look up recipes. 

I'm back! But just to blogging. I have realized this last week that social media (facebook, twitter, etc) is really bad for me. For multiple reasons. So I think I will just stick to my favorite blogs and let everything else alone for awhile.

How has your week been?
Meg

One Last Thing Before I Go

Do you ever just get sick of the internet? Too much noise, and dumb stuff, from too many places? Yeah, that's me right now. I haven't been doing anything but lurking around and getting annoyed, so I think it's time for an internet vacation. I need one every now and then.

I won't be around or checking things for awhile - a week, maybe more. But I'll be checking email if anyone needs to get a hold of me (and I'll be responding to anything that comes through Etsy).

I leave you with these pictures from our garden/yard.

Adieu!
Meg

What I've Been Doing

Finishing Shawls

Embroidering Mushrooms

Making labels for my canned goods.

Playing with a fat and happy baby.

And chasing his brothers. (And feeding them! Holy cow they are putting away the food!)

And working out with my sister.

And starting Bible Study with my in-loves.

Between the above things, plus birthday dinners, birthday parties, a possible camping trip and some other planned activities our June is PACKED. My calendar looks ridiculous. But I am so excited for the things to come this summer.

Let the games begin!
Meg