Ingredients
For the zucchini:
  • 4 medium very firm zucchini (I like lighter green, thick zucchini for stuffing)
  • Salt and pepper
  • Non-aerosol olive oil spray
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped or grated
  • 1 small carrot, finely chopped or grated
  • 1 rib celery with leafy tops, finely chopped
  • ¼ pound pancetta or smoked pancetta, finely chopped
  • 1 ½ pounds ground beef
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
  • 2 tablespoons, tomato paste
  • ½ cup white wine
  • ½ cup beef or chicken bone broth
  • One 28-ounce can crushed or diced tomatoes
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella or mozzarella and provolone combined, or 1 sack
  • 1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
For the gluten-free white sauce:
  • 4 ounces cream cheese or mascarpone, cut into pieces
  • 1 cup cream
  • Salt, white pepper and nutmeg, to taste
To serve:
  • A few leaves of basil, torn
Yield
Serves: 4 to 6
Preparation

Preheat oven to 425˚F.  

Halve zucchini lengthwise and scrape out seedy centers of the squash, making zucchini boats for filling.  Arrange the zucchini on a large parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Season the zucchini with salt and pepper and spray with olive oil. Roast about 15 minutes, then remove from oven to cool to room temperature.

Meanwhile, to a large deep skillet over medium to medium-high heat, add EVOO, onion, carrot, and celery, soften 5 minutes, then add pancetta and render fat to lightly crisp. Add beef and brown and crumble, season with salt and pepper, then stir in garlic and tomato paste. Add wine, broth and tomatoes and simmer sauce to thicken.

For the white sauce, in a small pot, melt cream cheese and cream together and season with salt, white pepper and nutmeg.

Fill the thickened bolognese into boats and top with equal amounts of gluten-free white sauce and top with the cheeses. Place back in oven and bake until brown and bubbly. 

Serve stuffed zucchini hot or at room temperature topped with a few leaves of torn basil.