Zucchini with Cheese (Calabria)

Appetizers

Ingredients

Medium sized zucchini - 3 pounds

Flour

Oil

Salt

Ripe tomatoes - 2 pounds

Pepper

Mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced - 1/2 pound

Wash the zucchini, trim the ends and cut the zucchini into medium-thick rounds. Dredge with flour. Heat plenty of olive oil and fry the zucchini, a few at a time, until golden brown. Take from the pan with a perforated spoon, drain on paper towels and sprinkle lightly with salt. Keep hot.

Peel, chop and rub the tomatoes through a sieve. Drain off all but 2 1/2 tbsps of the oil, add the tomatoes, season to taste with salt and pepper, and cook over a brisk heat for 20 minutes.

Heat 2 1/2 tbsps oil in an earthware baking dish, add the fried zucchini and cover with the tomato sauce. Heat gently ,stirring carefully with a wooden spoon. Take the dish from the stove and cover the zucchini with the sliced cheese. Sprinkle with olive oil and bake in a hot oven (450F) for 5 to 10 minutes, or long enough to let the cheese melt and begin to change color. Serve at once in the same dish.

Serves 6