~Justine
INGREDIENTS:
4 medium-small zucchinis (could use larger ones but may need to increase initial roasting time)
Small amount of bacon fat
Extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt & black pepper
Canned organic pizza sauce of choice
Mozzarella and/or Monterrey jack cheese, grated
Pepperoni (I used Hormel "Natural Choice" brand--not 100% "Paleo", but hey--this is my way, right?)
1/2 small onion, cut half and then sliced thinly (can use yellow, white, sweet, or red onion)
Parmesan cheese, finely grated
Basil flakes, dry
Oregano flakes, dry
Red pepper flakes (optional)
1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2) Cut off the end stems of the zukes. Slice the zukes lengthwise, being careful to make sure both sides are equal in size/thickness.
3) Using a spoon, scoop/scrape out the middle portion of each half. That middle part is very watery and pithy, and without removal of it the pizza boats won't be nearly as good. Be careful not to break the zucchini while you are doing this.
4) Place the hollowed-out zucchini boats on a broiler pan that you have lightly greased with bacon fat.
5) Drizzle the boats with olive oil, then sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper.
6) Roast the boats on the center rack in the 400-degree oven for about 6 minutes. Too much longer, and they will lose their firm structure and get flimsy, which will result in the toppings spilling out everywhere in the last part of the prep.
7) After the initial roasting, remove the boats from the oven and turn the oven UP to BROIL.
8) Add the toppings to the boats while the broiler gets good and hot: Begin with the grated cheese, filling the trough of the zucchini boat. Then add teaspoon-sized dollops of pizza sauce, spaced apart about an inch. Place the pepperonis (or other meats you like) on top. Add the thinly sliced onion. Finish off with the Parmesan cheese and a sprinkling of the dry herbs.
9) Place the boats back into the oven on the top rack. Broil for about 3-4 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning. Every oven is different.
10) Remove from the oven and let stand at room temp for about 3-5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes if you like that extra little kick!
