Farro Stuffed Zucchini
What’s Old is New Again - Farro
Farro Stuffed Zucchini
Farro is an ancient grain that dates back to the beginning of agriculture in Mesopotamia. It is a type of hulled wheat that, when cooked, has a slightly nutty taste and chewy texture.
Farro is high in fiber and plant-based protein. It is also a good source of antioxidants and phytonutrients.
Farro
Cooked farro can be used in a number of ways:
As a side dish similar to rice or quinoa
Added to soups, stews and chili
Grain salad - try mixing with chopped cucumber, tomatoes and drizzled with an Italian dressing
As a warm breakfast cereal, topped with fruit and nuts
Grain bowl with roasted vegetables and lean protein
For this recipe, a filling made with cooked farro, feta cheese, sundried tomatoes, walnuts and zucchini flesh is stuffed into roasted zucchini shells. This Mediterranean-inspired recipe makes a hearty side dish or is filling on its own for a plant-based meal.
Filling ingredients
Farro Stuffed Zucchini
Farro Stuffed Zucchini
Ingredients:
3 large zucchini
½ cup farro
¼ cup sundried tomatoes, chopped (preferably oil-packed)
¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled
¼ cup walnuts, chopped
¼ tsp Italian seasoning
Olive oil
Salt and peper
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Halve the zucchini, rub with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes.
While the zucchini is roasting, rinse ½ cup farro in a large mesh strainer under running water. Bring 1 cup water to a boil and add the rinsed farro and a pinch of salt. Return to a boil then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes.
Let the zucchini cool slightly after removing from the oven then scoop out the flesh and coarsely chop the flesh. (Use the back of a spoon or a small melon baller to scoop out the zucchini).
Mix together the chopped zucchini flesh, cooked farro, sun dried tomatoes, walnuts, seasoning and feta cheese. Spoon this filling into the zucchini shells, return to the oven and roast for another 15 minutes.
Makes 3 “hearty” servings or 6 “side dish” servings.
Farro Stuffed Zucchini