Cream Cheese Zucchini Boats Food

CHEESY ZUCCHINI BOATS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Using a small spoon, scoop out the zucchini flesh, leaving a 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick shell.
• Wrap the zucchini flesh in a paper towel and squeeze out any excess liquid; discard the liquid and set aside the flesh.
• Place the zucchini shells cut side down on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat 2 T olive oil over high heat.
• Add the zucchini flesh and onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Push the vegetables to the side of the pan, add the remaining 1 T oil and the bread crumbs, and toast the bread crumbs for 2 minutes.
• Remove from the heat, stir in the nuts and oregano, then combine with the vegetables; season with salt and pepper.
• Flip over the zucchini shells and line the bottoms with the mozzarella.
• Pack in the filling.
• Sprinkle with parmesan on top.
• Bake until the zucchini is tender when pierced with a fork, 20-25 minutes.

CREAM CHEESE ZUCCHINI BOATS

Steps:

• Clean zucchini. Cut in half lengthwise. Remove seeds. Microwave cut side down on plate for 2 minutes. Remove from microwave and turn over the zucchini halves. Fill the centers with the cream cheese. Top with bacon bits and Mozzarella cheese. Return to microwave for 30 seconds, until cheese is melted.

SAUSAGE-STUFFED ZUCCHINI BOATS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• With a teaspoon, scoop out the flesh from the interior of the zucchini, so they resemble boats. Place the zucchini boats in a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish. Chop the zucchini flesh and set aside.
• In a medium saute pan over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and let heat through. Add the sweet and the hot Italian sausage, and cook for 4 minutes. Add the garlic, onion, chopped zucchini flesh, tomatoes and some salt and pepper. Cook until softened, about 4 minutes.
• In a medium bowl, add the Parmesan, mozzarella, breadcrumbs and parsley; mix to combine.
• Spoon in and mound the sausage mixture into the zucchini boats. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over top. Place in oven and bake until golden on top, 20 minutes.

CREAM CHEESE STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• Halve zucchini lengthwise.
• Scoop out middle (seeds and some meat) of zucchini.
• Chop tomatoes and scallions, or any other vegetables you would prefer to use.
• Blend together flavored cream cheese and regular cream cheese. A mixer works best, but this can also be done by hand.
• Add chopped vegetables to cream cheese and mix.
• Scoop or pipe cream cheese mixture into hollowed-out zucchini and place in casserole dish.
• Cook for 15-20 minutes or until the top of the cream cheese is starting to brown/stiffen.
• NOTE: Some moisture will be released during cooking and the zucchini will still be firm after 15-20 minutes. You may cook longer, but the cream cheese will start to liquefy.