Vegetarian Stuffed Zucchini

Indeed, making this simple and healthy recipe will be a show-stopper at the table. While in season, use up your summer squash and fill it up with fresh ingredients! The steps to prepare the stuffed zucchini boats are effortless. Don’t just leave zucchini, though, for the summer months! You can get zucchini all year round and serve it up for the holidays.

Unless you are growing zucchinis in your garden, when choosing them at the store, grab the medium to large ones as it will be better to carve and fill. 

Let’s prepare it: 

– Always wash your produce thoroughly and preheat the oven!

– Cut zucchini in half length-wise, and using a teaspoon, carve the flesh keeping about a quarter of an inch thick of the zucchini. Save half of it for the filling.

– Chop your tomatoes, pepper, mushroom, and garlic.

– In a bowl, mix the reserved zucchini flesh, vegetables, bread crumbs, and season with salt and pepper.

Tip: Do not wash your mushrooms with water! Grab some paper towel, wet it and gently clean them one by one.

– Generously fill the zucchini halves with the stuffing. Place them on a baking dish lined with parchment paper and cook them in the oven.

– Once done, top them off with feta and fresh oregano: the best part!

WHAT GOES INTO VEGETARIAN STUFFED ZUCCHINI 

Most of all, the beauty of this stuffed zucchini recipe is that you adapt it endlessly, and it will still be absolutely delicious. Although it is already low-carb, you can also make it keto by choosing some gluten-free bread crumbs. Furthermore, if you wish to keep this dish plant-based, you just need to skip the cheese on top, and it will become vegan stuffed zucchini.

THE VEGETABLES: For this recipe, we are using tomatoes, bell peppers, garlic, and mushrooms, but the sky is the limit. Here are some more ideas:

– Chopped greens such as spinach or kale
– Corn
– Peas
– Eggplants
– Dried tomatoes

Tip: Avoid vegetables that would take a long time to cook such as carrots, sweet potatos or potatoes.

THE CRUMBS: Needed to absorb the moisture but also will add a crunch to the dish. You can use regular bread crumbs, but I would suggest giving a try to the panko crumbs for the extra crispiness!

THE CHEESE: That little extra that will give a theme to your vegetarian stuffed zucchini. For example, this one gives a Mediterranean flair and, more specifically, Greek with feta and oregano. Alternatively, you can add shaved parmesan cheese and basil for an Italian zucchini boat.

Lastly, any type of cheese in your fridge would work, such as Emmental, swiss, provolone, or cheddar cheese. You can also mix the cheeses!

Extra Suggestions For The Vegetarian Stuffing

While this recipe is a side dish, you can also transform it into a wholesome meal by adding some quinoa, rice, or any other grains of your choice. Precooked or canned chickpeas, white beans, or lentils would make it even more nutritious.

WHAT CAN I SERVE VEGETARIAN ZUCCHINI BOATS WITH?

Since they present so well, they are a great side dish option for a festive event. Don’t hold these just for weeknight meals; bring them out for the holidays too. They add color and variety to your holiday table too.

– Thanksgiving and its famous turkey
– A delicious glazed ham for Christmas
– How about on the side of this crispy chicken for your next family dinner?
– Also, don’t forget this would be amazing with seafood such as this Maple Bourbon Pecan Salmon.