Growing up, every fall my brothers and I would always ask my mom to cook “that zucchini stuff” since we had an abundance of zucchini. It was so good and was often requested. It’s a family favorite and I’ve shared this recipe so many times over the years!
It’s delicious and reminds me a bit of the flavor of a cabbage roll. It is also a great way to eat those garden goodies like homegrown zucchini, onion, cabbage and even tomatoes.
My daughters asked my mom what we called this roasted zucchini and hamburger and my mom answered the same as I did , it’s “that zucchini stuff!”
Let’s get to it!
Wash zucchini and chop off ends. I’ll be using this entire zucchini. I am going to peel it and I’m leaving the seeds. If the seeds are really big, then I’d scoop them out. You can slice the zucchini any way you like.
Chop onion, 1/2 cabbage and a couple carrots. Toss into a large roasting pan.
Add sliced zucchini.
Next, I always add seasonings. I’m using dill, salt and pepper, 3 onion and tex mex seasoning. You can add cayenne, seasoning salt and any other seasoning you like. The cabbage and zucchini will take on any flavor so be sure to season it up with your favorites!
Add a large can of diced tomatoes and water.
Stir well. This is why I use my large roasting pan! I taste it at this point for flavor. If I need to, I’ll add more seasoning.
Bake at 350F for one hour, covered. Stir. Add water if needed.
While the veggies continue to cook, brown ground beef. I add the same seasonings to the ground beef as I added to the vegetables.
I continued to cook the vegetables in the oven for another hour, stirring occasionally. Here’s what it looks like after two hours.
Add ground beef.
Stir well. Cook for another hour. Taste if the veggies are done to your liking.
We took the dogs for a walk so the veggies and beef ended up cooking for 2 hours which was perfect! Tastes just like when I was a kid! So good!
I like the edges a bit crispy, but of course you can cook to your desired doneness — you can cook less if you prefer. In total, it ended up being roasted for about 5 hours. So good and the house smells amazing!
This casserole makes a really great side dish to any meal!
Roasted Zucchini and Hamburger
1 pound hamburger
1 large zucchini, or 2 small zucchini, sliced (or as desired)
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, shredded
½ small head green cabbage, chopped
1-28 oz can tomatoes, with juice (14 oz can be used also) or 1 lb homegrown tomatoes
1/2 cup water
to taste like salt & pepper, garlic, cayenne, seasoning salt, dill, tex mex or cajun spice
Brown hamburger, and set aside.
Combine remaining ingredients into a roaster. Bake in 350 degree oven for 1 hour. Taste for seasonings. Add hamburger. Cook for 2 to 4 hours or until desired firmness of veggies.
enjoy from Our City Homestead to yours