SAUSAGE STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Our family found this on the Taste of Home website and tried it... Everyone loved it.  But it took a bit too much time to make the way they had it, so we altered the recipe a bit.

2 Medium to Large Zucchini

1.5 lbs of Italian sausage (cooked and drained)

8 oz can of tomato sauce

1 small green pepper

2 T chopped onion

2 tsp Italian seasoning

Salt

Sauce

2 T butter

2 T Flour

1 1/4 Cups Milk

1 tsp Mustard (Dijon is the best)

1/2 C grated Parmesan Cheese (the real stuff)

1.  Cut zucchini in half lengthwise.  Remove the seeds and center section where the seeds are.  Keep the pulp and small seeds.  Put 1/8th cup of water into the center of each zucchini half and put in microwave on high for 3-4 minutes or until tender.  Remove from microwave and drain water

2.  Place zucchini pulp into a saucepan, add cooked sausage, tomato sauce, onion, peppers, and italian seasoning.  Bring to boil.  Reduce heat and cook for 10 minutes.  

3.  Place zucchini in a greased baking dish.  Spoon the filling into the center of the zucchini.

4.  To make the sauce.  Melt butter in a saucepan. whisk in flour and salt until smooth.  Slowly add milk.  Bring to a low simmer and cook for 2 min or until it thickens.  Remove from heat and add 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.and mustard.  Pour sauce over zucchini.  Sprinkle with remaining cheese

5.  Bake uncovered at 350 for 25-30 minutes.  Serves 4-5