Crayfish and Courgette

My cousin just got married this weekend, and her wonderful husband provided some of the catering - with enough left over to send a care package back for us.  Two beautiful crayfish! So perfect that I served them simply with butter for dipping, and lemons from Mum and Dad's garden for squeezing.

Also gifted from neighbours was a courgette gone marrow-like, so I recreated a zhuzshed-up version of Mum's way of stuffing them.

Bacon and Onion Stuffed Marrow

Slice marrow/courgette/zucchini in half longways, then scrape out the seeds. Sprinkle the cut sides well with salt and leave to leach out some of the juices of the courgette while preparing the stuffing.
In olive oil, slowly fry up a couple of chopped onions, some beautiful local Pirongia Bacon pieces chopped into little chunks, and three handfuls of teensy wee cherry tomatoes from our giganto tomato plants. I left this cooking away on low for a while (about the time it took to gulp down a nice glass of Gewurtz) 'til it was soft and juicy and sticky. Throw in a handful or two of breadcrumbs, and a bit more olive oil if needed, and mix.

Now grab a paper towel or four, and wipe away the juice that will have oozed from your marrow pieces. I had to tip some off before wiping, as there was a fair bit already leached out. Then fill both halves with the bacon and onion mix. On top, crumble some homemade labneh and grated cheese of your choosing.

Bake in the oven at around 180ºC until you feel like the marrow is soft enough to eat, but not so soft it will fall apart when you slice it. I think I had mine in for about 20-30 minutes. Blast under the grill to finish.

Slice in big chunks and scarf it down with a fork, whilst oozy-buttery-crayfishy juices run down your other hand.

Best last minute dinner ever - we just plonked it down on a towel on the lounge floor and demolished it. I LOVE the food I eat being local, or homegrown, or gifted. Always tastes better, and just feels more nourishing than store bought.