Fagottini di zucchine

• knife
• large frying pan  or  cooking sheet
• baking dish

• 2 long zucchini
• ½ c olive oil, divided
• 2 T mozzarella, chopped
• 1 T bacon or smoked tofu, chopped
• 1 oz parmesan, grated

Trim the ends off the zucchini and  then slice each one lengthwise into 4 long, ¼-inch pieces.*

– Heat all but about 1 T of the oil in the frying pan and sauté zucchini over high heat until golden brown. Preheat oven to 350.
     or
– Rub each slice with oil and bake at 375 for 10 minutes. Turn oven down to 350.

Lay out one slice of zucchini and lay a second one on top, perpendicular so that they make a big + sign.

Put a quarter of the mozzarella and bacon in a little pile in the center, where the slices cross. Fold each of the four ends over the center and press down slightly to make the parcel.**

Place on baking dish and repeat three times, so that you end up with four parcels.

Drizzle with the rest of the oil and bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

Sprinkle with parmesan and serve warm.

** If the parcels don’t want to stay closed, you can secure them with a toothpick while baking and serving.

Fagottini di zucchine – zucchini bundles – are quick and easy, yet look and taste truly impressive!