Stuffed Zucchini

4-5 small zucchini
1/2 cup bread or cracker crumbs
1 tablespoon melted butter

Stuffing:

1/4 stick butter
1 tablespoon flour or cornstarch
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon dill
parsley and paprika (for sprinkling)
salt and pepper, to taste
zucchini pulp

Drop whole zucchini into boiling salted (about 2 tsps salt per 5-6 quart pot) water. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until tender.

Drain; cover zucchini with cold water to stop the cooking. When cool, slice in half lengthwise; scoop out meat from centers leaving a hollow shell. Reserve zucchini pulp and set aside.

Mash zucchini pulp using a potato masher or a fork.

Stuffing:

In a small saucepan, melt 1/4 stick butter. Blend in the cornstarch until no lumps remain; add sour cream. Combine with dill and salt and zucchini pulp, mixing ingredients until well blended.

Fill the zucchini shells evenly with the stuffing.

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in microwave. Stir in 1/2 cup crushed cracker crumbs or bread crumbs, mixing until all are coated. Sprinkle a layer of buttered bread crumbs on top. Top with parsley flakes and a sprinkling of paprika for color.

Bake in a preheated 350F oven for 30 minutes.

Pizza Zucchini Variation: Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce on top before baking. Sprinkle top with Parmesan cheese (or shredded mozzarella) 10 minutes before baking is finished. Drizzle with olive oil infused with minced garlic, oregano, and basil before serving (omit dill and sour cream).