Sausage and Apple-Stuffed Zucchini

2 tablespoons butter1 medium yellow onion, finely diced1 medium carrot, finely diced1 rib celery, finely diced1 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed (optional)4 ounces Italian sausage meat, crumbled1 medium apple, peeled, cored and diced3 cups stuffing-mix bread cubes1#189; cups chicken broth4 medium zucchiniHeat the oven to 350 degrees.In a large saute pan over medium-high, melt the butter. Add the onion, carrot, celery and fennel seeds, then saute until the onion is tender and transparent, about 5 minutes. Add the sausage and apple, then saute until the meat is cooked through, about 3 minutes.Add the stuffing, then mix well. Drizzle in the broth, then mix well. Turn off the heat, cover the pan and let sit for 10 minutes.Meanwhile, slice the zucchini in half lengthwise. Use a spoon or melon baller to scrape out the seedy center of each half, then arrange them on a rimmed baking sheet or in a large, shallow baking dish.Fill each half with the stuffing mixture, packing it well. Bake until the zucchini are tender, about 20 minutes.Serves eight@Recipe nutrition:Nutrition values per serving: 230 calories, 13 g fat (4 g saturated), 24 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 6 g protein, 15 mg cholesterol, 613 mg sodium.