Ingredients

  • 6 whole white onions
  • 3 small eggplants, halved
  • 6 small round zucchinis
  • 3 bell peppers, halved and seeded
  • 6 tomatoes
  • 12 cups water
  • 3 tablespoons cooking salt
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 1/4 cups bread crumbs
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 pound bulk sausage meat
  • 5 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • 3 tablespoons chopped basil
  • 5 slices bread pulverized into bread crumbs
  • 7 tablespoons milk
  • 3 eggs, beaten
  • 3/4 cup grated Parmesan
  • Salt and pepper
  • Serving suggestion: Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms, recipe follows
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium zucchini, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • 2 leaves of basil, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 tablespoon bread crumbs
  • 1 small egg beaten, or 1/2 of 1 beaten egg
  • 6 zucchini blossoms
  • 1 packet/cube chicken bouillon
  • 1/2 cup boiling water

Method

  • Cut off the top quarter of each onion, round zucchini, and tomato.
  • Hollow out all the vegetables (except peppers and flowers) with the help of a spoon or small knife, leaving a thick wall.
  • Save the tops and carved-out parts and chop.
  • In a saucepan, immerse the hollowed-out halved eggplants in the 12 cups of salted water (unheated).
  • Allow to soak while stuffing is prepared.
  • In a skillet heat 1/3 cup olive oil on a low flame and saute the reserved chopped vegetables until just tender, stirring lightly and frequently.
  • In a large bowl combine the fresh bread crumbs and milk, and allow to soak briefly.
  • Then add the Sauteed vegetables, sausage meat, garlic, chopped parsley, basil, beaten eggs, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
  • Mix well.
  • Remove the eggplant from the water.
  • Bring this water to a boil and briefly blanch the vegetables separately in this order: white onions, zucchinis, peppers, eggplant (not the tomatoes or stuffed zucchini blossoms).
  • Drain them on a clean towel or paper towel.
  • Spoon the sausage stuffing into each vegetable, then sprinkle with bread crumbs.
  • Arrange in a baking dish that has been oiled on the bottom with olive oil.
  • Bake uncovered in a preheated 400 degree F oven for about 15 to 20 minutes.
  • For each person, arrange 1 piece of each kind of vegetable on a plate.
  • Optional: For a true Provencal touch (and if they are available) prepare Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms and add one to each plate.
  • In a skillet with 2 tablespoons olive oil, saute the finely chopped zucchini 5 to 8 minutes on a low flame.
  • Remove from the heat and add parsley, basil, garlic, salt, and pepper.
  • Let cool, then add breadcrumbs and the beaten egg.
  • Mix well.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  • With the fingers, partially open each blossom's petals and place a spoonful of stuffing inside.
  • Carefully close the petals.
  • Put the stuffed blossoms side by side in a shallow roasting pan.
  • Dissolve the bouillon cube in the boiling water and add the remaining olive oil.
  • Pour liquid over blossoms and cover with aluminum foil.
  • Bake for approximately 20 minutes.
  • Arrange on a dish.
  • Can be eaten hot or cold.