'Unstuffed' Zucchini Squash Skillet

Becca here with a recipe that is one of my family's favorites that I've been making since we were first married.  It is a great use of the abundant zucchini squash that is growing around here due to the huge amount of rain we've gotten lately!  Even if you don't have a garden (as I don't), your local farmer's market is likely a great source of tasty, local squash.  Last week several vendors at our farmer's market were offering really huge zucchini, each well over a foot long, for just $1 apiece.  They were not even tough at all because of the abundant rains, making this a really economical meal as well.  My inspiration meal is the Stuffed Zucchini our Mom made with zucchini from their garden when we were growing up.  This skillet recipe uses the same basic ingredients, just made in one pan on the stove to simplify preparation & clean-up a bit.  The ingredients seem quite simple, but using fresh veggies and a good sausage make it a really tasty & nutritious meal!  Using leftover rice & sausage makes it really quick to pull the meal together.  If you have prepared a large batch of rice & sausage, making Breakfast Fried Rice for breakfast later in the week, as I did today, is always a hit too!  Enjoy!

'Unstuffed Zucchini Squash Skillet

1 Tablespoon olive oil (or butter, coconut oil, etc. your favorite cooking oil!)
3 cups chopped zucchini (bite-sized pieces)
2 cups cooked sausage (DIY Breakfast Sausage works well!)
2 cups cooked rice (I use organic brown, cooked in Homemade Chicken Broth if I have it!)
3 cups chopped tomatoes (bite-sized pieces, I used large cherry tomatoes cut into half this time)
salt & pepper to taste
parmesan cheese to top, optional

1) Add oil & zucchini to a large skillet.  Heat in medium-high, stirring occasionally, until zucchini is starting to soften, but still not bright green (you don't want it falling apart!)

2) Stir in sausage and rice and continue to stir occasionally until heated through, about 5 minutes.

3) Stir in tomatoes and heat, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes are heated and just starting to soften.  Again, you don't want them falling completely apart.

4) Taste, salt and pepper if necessary (this will largely depend on the kind of sausage you used!).  Serve topped with parmesan cheese, if desired.