Barley Zucchini Boats Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 2/3 cup medium pearl barley
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 6 medium zucchini (8 to 9 inches)
• 1/2 pound ground beef or turkey
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 tablespoon Crisco® Pure Olive Oil
• 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions

• Drain tomatoes, reserving juice. Set the tomatoes aside. Add water to juice to measure 2 cups; place in a saucepan. Add barley and cumin; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 45 minutes or until tender.
• Meanwhile, place zucchini in a Dutch oven and cover with water; bring to a boil. Cook for 6 minutes or until slightly tender. Drain; cool slightly. Slice zucchini in half lengthwise. Scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/4-in. shell. Chop pulp and set aside.
• In a skillet, cook beef, onion, garlic and allspice in oil until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add barley mixture, parsley, salt, pepper, tomatoes and zucchini pulp; mix well. Spoon into zucchini shells. Combine bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and butter; sprinkle over zucchini. Place in two greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dishes. Cover and bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until zucchini is tender. Yield: 6 servings.

Barley Zucchini Boats published in Country Woman July/August 1999, p40