ZUCCHINI BOATS WITH BACON GREMOLATA

ZUCCHINI BOATS WITH BACON GREMOLATA image

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 15

For Zucchini:
4 medium-large zucchini
2 tablespoons lemon juice
4 teaspoons olive oil
3 large cloves garlic, minced
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
For Gremolata:
16 slices of bacon or 1 cup Canadian bacon
1 cup finely shredded Parmesan and/or Romano cheese (4 oz)
¼ cup fresh basil
¼ cup finely chopped pepperoncini salad pepper or fresh jalapeno chile pepper
4 teaspoons finely shredded lemon peel
2 cloves of garlic, minced
½ teaspoon black pepper

Steps:

In a small bowl stir together above ingredients. 1. Cut zucchini in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, scoop out centers to form ¼-1/2 inch thick shells; set aside. 2. In a small bowl stir together lemon juice, oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Brush insides of zucchini shells with lemon mixture. Place shells, cut sides down, on a lightly greased grilling tray. 3. For a charcoal grill, grill zucchini on grilling tray on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals for 5 to 7 minutes or until cut sides start to brown. Turn zucchini; grill for 1 minute more. For a gas grill, preheat grill. Reduce heat to medium. Place zucchini on grilling tray on grill rack over heat. Cover and grill as directed. 4. Spoon Bacon Gremolata into zucchini shells, mounding slightly and pressing down lightly. Return to grill. Cover and grill for 2 to 4 minutes more or until zucchini is crisp-tender and cheese starts to melt.