Saturday, July 28, 2012

Hot Zucchini and Sausage Pizza Dip

Tired of zucchini posts yet? Let's face it, if Rodney Dangerfield was a vegetable, he'd be a zucchini-talk about not getting any respect! So what do you say we take 'the little squash that keeps on giving' and turn it into something that folks will actually get excited about... Hot Zucchini and Sausage Pizza Dip! 
As soon as I stepped outside for pics it started pouring rain, here's the one shot I got! 

This is basically a pizza dip but loaded with grated zucchini. To give it some body and bite I've salted and drained the zucchini for 15 minutes, it makes a big difference in texture. Important tip: If you use a food processor make sure you slice the zuke into at least 4 pieces lengthwise so you don't have long shreds.

Hot Zucchini and Sausage Pizza Dip
1 C zucchini, grated-approx a 5-6" zuke
1/4 tsp salt
1 C mozzarella, shredded, save some to sprinkle on top
1/2 C Italian Sausage, cooked, crumbled and drained on paper towels-sweet or hot
1/2 C tomato sauce-or omit this and the next 4 items and use your favorite pizza sauce
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp Italian Seasoning or Oregano, crushed between your fingers
Few grinds of black pepper
Pinch of crushed red pepper-optional
  1. Mix grated zucchini with salt in small colander, put a bowl on top and weigh down with a big can. Press to squeeze out the juice after 15 minutes.
  2. Mix all and pour into an oven safe small dish (mine is 5"). You can easily double this recipe and use a 9" pie plate.
  3. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until the cheese has melted and everything is bubbly. 
  4. Brown the top under the broiler for a couple minutes if desired.
  5. Serve with crusty bread, pita bread, chips, crackers, veggies (green pepper being my favorite) or if you're sharing with a close buddy... maybe just a spoon:@)

24 comments:

  1. This does look good! ~ Sarah

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  2. I think zucchini is so useful. I would definitly eat this and then have zucchini bread.

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  3. And this is exactly why I have been avoiding coming here, LOL, this looks absolutely divine and I could be "Happier than a pig" just chowing down on it.
    They would have to fight me over the dish!
    Trying to lose weight is just no fun, but I will try this recipe for sure.
    Susanne :)

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  4. Oh, I'd like to dive into that with one of those crackers! It looks yummy and how couldn't it be with all those good ingredients! Thanks for the recipe!

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  5. That looks so good, Lynn! The squash bugs have decimated my squash, gourd, and cucumber vines. On a happy note, though, I have LOTS of tomatoes! Have a good wknd, Lynn!

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  6. Zucchini is banned in this house! Enjoy yours! :)

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  7. You are so creative with your zucchini recipes, Lynn! I'm impressed and this sounds delicious. Your one pic is fantastic.

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  8. I love zucchini, never thought of making dips. Brilliant.

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  9. Oh my gosh my husband would think he died and went to Heaven if I served this. Perfect for the upcoming football season. I would love it if you would share at Sunny Simple Sundays. http://sunnysimplelife.blogspot.com/2012/07/sunny-simple-sunday-8.html

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  10. Looks great... Have ya tried the Baked Zucchini Parmesan yet? Its soooooo good. Recipe on my blog ;)

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  11. I bet this would be the hit of any party!

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  12. Lynn,
    This looks and sounds amazing. My husband would love it.

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  13. Lynn, Zucchini would be a hit at my house prepared this way!

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  14. Oh, yea! Another way to use all the zucchini I have shredded in my freezer! This looks fabulous! What is it about pizza flavor!!!! I wonder if you could put this over pasta and bake it. Doesn't that sound so yummy!
    Thank you so much for joining ON THE MENU MONDAY with this delicious recipe!

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  15. Great idea. Great to have you be a part of Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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  16. This sounds wonderful, and I needed another recipe to use the abundance of zucchini!

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  17. What a great recipe for all the wonderful Zucchini that we have right now from our garden. We will just love this recipe. Hope you are having a great week and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

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  18. Since I am a true blue pizza lover, I will definitely give
    this one a run for the money! I can't wait to make it this
    weekend.

    Thanks sooOOOooo much for sharing this
    with Favorites on the First!
    xoxox
    Alison

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  19. Wow, this looks great! My daughters will love this one. Bookmarked it!!! :D

    xo,
    RJ

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  20. This looks wonderful! I pinned this recipe to my appetizer board.

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  21. The pizza dip looks delicious. Aside from biscuits and bread, I think it would be great to serve it with nachos and quesadillas too. It's perfect as a midnight snack or pica pica. Your family and friends would love to spend time with you eating this yummy delight while watching a movie.

    Dione Nye

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