Stephanie Paris
Just in Time for Football Season: Game-Time Loaded Zucchini Skins
I love getting together and watching football games with friends and family. One of the many traditions on game day is lots of FOOD!

Game day food is not always the healthiest fare. Chips and dip, potato skins, chicken wings, and lots of beer. Since going primal, I am always looking for ways to make my recipes better for me, without compromising flavor. Today's recipe is no exception. Inspired by the game-time favorite potato skins, I've created these Game-Time Loaded Zucchini Skins. This isn't something to be eaten on a daily basis, especially if you try to go light on the dairy, but as an occasional indulgent snack, these definitely satisfy. Make sure to get the highest quality organic dairy products, and buy raw cheese when available. The freshness of the zucchini perfectly balances out the richness of the cheeses. If the recipe and instructions aren't enough for you, I also made a YouTube video! The video is my official entry into the Primal Blueprint 21-Day Challenge Recipe Contest found on MarksDailyApple.com. You can watch that video at the bottom of this page. Enjoy!

Game-Time Loaded Zucchini Skins
3-4 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup grated hard cheese like Parmesan or Asiago
4 small zucchini
1 tablespoon olive oil
freshly ground black pepper
½ cup greek yogurt
4-5 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked and chopped
¾ cup shredded mozzarella or other soft cheese
Directions: Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, stirring frequently for 1-2 minutes until soft and fragrant, making sure not to brown. Take the garlic butter off the heat and let cool a bit. Once cooled enough so the cheese won’t melt, mix the parmesan cheese into the garlic butter. Preheat broiler. Cut zucchini lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Rinse, pat dry, and place cut-side up in a pan appropriate for broiling. Brush each zucchini boat with olive oil and sprinkle with freshly ground pepper. Place the pan with zucchini in oven on the rack a few inches below the broiler. Broil for 5 minutes, or until slightly browned and bubbly. Take out of oven. Distributed remaining ingredients on all 8 zucchini halves in the following order: greek yogurt, bacon, mozzarella, and parmesan garlic butter. Place back under the broiler for 2-5 minutes, until golden and bubbly. Enjoy!