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Oven-baked Stuffed Vegetables Gratinated

17/11/2023

Oven-baked stuffed vegetables gratinated are a delicious and versatile dish that can be prepared with different types of vegetables and fillings according to personal tastes and the availability of ingredients.

Ingredients

  • Vegetables suitable for stuffing, such as zucchini, eggplants, peppers, tomatoes (about 4-6 depending on size)
  • 200 g of ground meat (beef, pork, chicken, or turkey) or alternatively cooked quinoa or tofu as a vegetarian/vegan option
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
  • 100 g of breadcrumbs
  • 100 g of grated cheese (Parmesan, pecorino, or another as preferred), plus extra for gratinating
  • 1 egg (optional for binding, exclude for a vegan version)
  • Aromatic herbs to taste (basil, parsley, thyme, etc.), chopped
  • Salt and pepper
  • Extra virgin olive oil

Preparation

  1. Wash the vegetables and cut them in half lengthwise. Hollow out the central part with a teaspoon, creating space for the filling. If using tomatoes, hollow them out and discard the seeds.

  2. In a frying pan, heat a drizzle of oil and sauté the onion and garlic until they become translucent.

  3. Add the ground meat (if using) and cook until it’s well browned and crumbled. If you opt for a vegetarian version, skip this step.

  4. Add the pulp of the vegetables you have hollowed out and cook for a couple of minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

  5. Transfer the sautéed mixture to a bowl and let it cool down. Add the breadcrumbs, grated cheese, the egg (if using), and the aromatic herbs. Mix well until you obtain a homogeneous mixture.

  6. Stuff the vegetables with the prepared filling and place them in an oiled baking dish.

  7. Sprinkle the surface of the stuffed vegetables with more grated cheese and a drizzle of oil.

  8. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 20-30 minutes, or until the vegetables are cooked and the surface is golden and crispy.

  9. Take the gratinated stuffed vegetables out of the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

Curiosity

This dish, besides being very tasty, is also an excellent way to get people, especially children, to eat more vegetables. The golden and crispy crust on the surface makes the vegetables very appetizing, and the possibility to vary the filling makes it perfect for adapting to personal tastes or using up leftovers in the fridge.

Oven-baked Stuffed Vegetables Gratinated