Petit Farcis - Stuffed Spring Vegetables

By Pascale Beale

Updated June 2026

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Petit Farcis - Stuffed Spring Vegetables

Photography by Pascale's Kitchen Studio

Total Time 55-60 minutes
Difficulty Intermediate
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes

Petit farcis are one of the great dishes of Provence — small vegetables hollowed out and stuffed, then roasted until they are tender and fragrant. This version uses the youngest, most delicate vegetables of spring and early summer: tiny globe zucchini, golden squash rolled into little rosettes, and asparagus, all filled with a herb-flecked ricotta stuffing scented with Herbes de Provence. It is a dish that looks like it took far more effort than it did, and one that captures everything I love about spring at the market — delicate, colorful, and bursting with the first real flavors of the season. Serve them as a beautiful starter, or alongside roast chicken or fish for a complete meal.
 
 

Preparation

  1. 1
    Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  2. 2
    Using a small spoon or melon baler, scoop out most of the flesh inside each globe zucchini, leaving a 1/8th inch thick shell. Place the hollowed out shells, and the reserved stems into a small baking dish. Drizzle with a little olive oil, a squeeze of lemon juice, a pinch of salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes. 
  3. 3
    While the zucchini are roasting, prepare the stuffing. Pour two tablespoons of olive oil into a skillet placed over medium heat. Add the zucchini flesh, shallot and chopped asparagus, Herbes de Provence (or Mediterranean Herb Mix), a pinch of salt and 4-5 grinds of pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes stirring frequently.
  4. 4
    In a bowl combine the ricotta, lemon zest, lemon juice and the cooked vegetable mix. 
  5. 5
    Spoon the stuffing into the cooked zucchini shells, reserve any left over stuffing. Return the zucchini to the oven and roast for a further 10 minutes.
  6. 6
    On a large platter spread out the pea sprouts. Scatter the yellow squash strips across the sprouts, and insert the squash rosettes in amongst the strips. If you had any stuffing left over, mound it in the center of the platter.
  7. 7
    Once the zucchini are cooked, place them in the center of the platter. Scatter basil leaves over the dish. Drizzle with a little olive oil and another squeeze of fresh lemon juice. 

To see Pascale make this dish, watch the Pascale's Kitchen IGTV Channel

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