When the Weather is Cool, I like Comfort Food!

When the weather is cool and I'm feeling a chill, I like comfort food. Actually, I like a nice warm thick tasty casserole, something easy to prepare and rich in flavor that warms you up on the inside as you are eating it. I also want good nutrition which means vegetables. I'm always trying to find a new and interesting way to prepare them.

LOS ANGELES, CA - This dish takes potatoes and zucchini and brings them together in a hash brown style.  It then tops a ground turkey base and finally has a layer of cheese. It seems to complete the taste I was looking for. It was also given the 'make this one again' award from my husband.

I began by making the zucchini browns.  A food processor is very helpful to do this but not necessary. 

Shred two medium potatoes, two zucchini, and one medium onion. 
Mix in one clove of chopped garlic and one teaspoon of Italian seasoning. 
Next take a large skillet and heat up one to two tablespoons of olive oil. 
Place the zucchini mixture in the pan and pat it down. 
Cook this over medium low heat for eight to ten minutes. 
Using a spatula, cut the mixture into four pieces and turn so that it will brown on the other side.  Again this takes another eight to ten minutes.

Now take one pound of ground turkey and brown it in a pan with one half cup of chopped onion and a clove of garlic. 
Drain this after it browns to remove any excess fat. 
Return it to the pan and add eight ounces of tomato sauce, one teaspoon cinnamon, and one half teaspoon of oregano. 
Reduce heat and simmer a few minutes. 

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Take one egg and beat well in a small bowl and add one cup of shredded cheddar cheese.  Mix this well to coat  the cheese.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  In a two quart casserole dish, first place the meat in the dish. 
Next place the zucchini mixture on top of the meat and pat it down, then finally top it off with the egg and cheese mixture. 
Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is golden. 

Cut into serving size pieces and enjoy. 

You get the flavor of the hash browns from the potatoes and the zucchini while the cinnamon gives the meat a nice rich flavor.  I hope this can be a  "make this one again," for you. 

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