Spicy Hamburger Zucchini Casserole (Recipe)

Also called, Something-Like-Mexican-Food. This is a fajita without the tortilla or a taco without the taco shell with a whole lot of vegetables added. It could be made with other cuts of beef or chicken. This particular recipe I did use steak meat with hamburger because I had it left over from another meal.

I call some of these dishes casseroles for lack of a better term because they are a meat and vegetable-mixed dish. I think the true definition of a casserole is it has some kind of starch or binder, like rice, pasta, or potatoes, none of which are on this diet.

Ingredients:

1 lb. hamburger from organic, grass-fed beef

1 splash of olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 cup onions, diced

3  zucchini, sliced

1 jalapeno pepper, diced with seeds removed

1 bunch oregano, snip off leaves, cut into tiny pieces

1 1/2 teaspoon dried cumin

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon chili pepper flakes

Splash the olive oil in the bottom of a large pan, medium heat. Add hamburger and minced garlic, sautéing for a few minutes, turning hamburger so it browns completely. Add onions, zucchini, and jalapeno pepper. Continue sautéing. Add spices and herbs. Sauté until meat cooked thoroughly.

Eat with avocados on the side.

Optional variation: Using any kind of squash, although I prefer butternut or acorn, cut in half, remove seeds, brush olive oil all over the insides and bake in oven at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Add  cooked hamburger mix to the squash center and bake for another 20 minutes.

Serve. Yum.