Stuffed Courgettes with Oregano & Pine Nut Salsa

A zesty, flavour packed stuffing recipe to replace all those mediocre slightly-soggy failed attempts in the past. It's incredibly simple and makes for a incredibly versatile side salad which accommodates fish and meat alike.

Serving Suggestion: alongside juicy roast chicken and another poultry-friendly side salad.

Difficulty Level: 3

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Ingredients:

Serves 2 as a main course or 4 as a side

• 450g courgettes (ie, 2 medium ones), green or yellow, cut in half lengthways

• ½ garlic clove, peeled and crushed

• 1 large egg, beaten

• 40g pecorino, finely grated

• 40g fresh sourdough breadcrumbs

• Salt

• 100g cherry tomatoes, quartered

• 1 lemon – zest finely grated, to get 2 tsp, and juiced, to get 1 tbsp

• 4 tbsp finely chopped oregano leaves

• 35g pine nuts, lightly toasted

• 3 tbsp olive oil

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Method:

1. Heat the oven to its highest setting. Using a dessert spoon, scoop out the courgette flesh, but not all of it: you want 1cm of flesh left all around the sides, so the courgettes hold their shape. You’ll end up with four courgette “canoes”. Transfer the flesh to a sieve and squeeze out as much liquid as you can: you should be left with about 100g flesh. Put this in a bowl and mix in the garlic, egg, pecorino, breadcrumbs and a quarter-teaspoon of salt. Crush the tomatoes with your hands, then stir into the courgette mixture.

2. In a second bowl, mix the lemon zest, oregano and pine nuts. Stir half of this into the courgette mixture and save the rest for the salsa.

3. Lay the hollowed courgettes cut side up on a medium oven tray lined with baking paper. Drizzle a tablespoon of oil over the top and season with an eighth of a teaspoon of salt. Spoon the courgette filling into the hollows, and bake for 15 minutes, until the filling is set and golden-brown.

4. While the courgettes are baking, make the salsa. Mix the lemon juice, remaining two tablespoons of oil and an eighth of a teaspoon of salt into the oregano and pine nut bowl.

5. Once the courgettes are cooked, let them cool a little before serving, with the salsa drizzled over the top.

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