eight-ball zucchini parmesan...

2 slices whole wheat bread, diced & crumbed
1 eight-ball zucchini, halved lenghtwise
4 basil leaves, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 small onion, peeled & diced
olive oil
1/4 cup chopped tomato
1 chili pepper, minced
salt, to taste
1/4 cup grated fresh parmesan cheese

preheat oven to 350.

place bread in food processor. pulse until crumbs are coarse. set aside.

cut zucchini in half lengthwise, scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/4 inch thick shell. set pulp aside. steam zucchini shells.

saute zucchini, basil, garlic, onion, pepper and tomato in olive oil. salt, to taste. remove from heat, stir in breadcrumbs.

fill each zucchini half with 1/2 of mixture. top with prosciutto and grated parmesan cheese. drizzle olive oil over top. bake at 350 for 20 minutes, or until cheese melts.

*this is my altered version of a recipe i found online.

collards...

my parents also have a garden...and my mother wanted me to pick & cook some of the collards that they grow.

i went out with my camera...and coaxed (more like begged) my father into pretending he was cutting them so i could photograph the moment.

i picked an entire bag full of collards...then...i had to wash them all. my back was aching & my fingers were wrinkled!

i did remember to take a photo as soon as i'd put them into the pot...but...i'd already eaten them before i thought of taking a photo of the finished product. and...since i'm home...and the rest of the collards are at the parents...no photo ops today.

*i also made some flavored vinegar for them from the peppers that i took over.