Quinoa Stuffed Zucchini Boats Food

GARDEN-STUFFED ZUCCHINI BOATS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Halve zucchini lengthwise; place cut sides down in an ungreased 13x9-in. baking dish. Bake 10 minutes. When cool enough to handle, scoop out seeds, leaving a 1/4-in. shell., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef, onion, green pepper and garlic over medium heat 8-10 minutes or until beef is no longer pink, breaking beef into crumbles; drain. Stir in 1 cup water, tomatoes, red peppers, mushrooms, pasta, thyme, oregano, salt and pepper. Cook until mixture is thickened and pasta is al dente, 12-15 minutes. Stir in Parmesan cheese., Spoon mixture into zucchini shells. Place in an ungreased 13x9-in. baking dish; sprinkle with 3/4 cup Italian cheese blend. Pour remaining water into bottom of dish. Bake, covered, 20 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, until zucchini is tender and cheese is melted, about 5 minutes longer. Serve with pasta sauce if desired.

QUINOA STUFFED ZUCCHINI BOATS

Steps:

• In small saucepan, bring 1/2 cup (125 mL) water to a boil. Stir in quinoa. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Set aside.
• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Slice zucchini in half lengthwise. Scoop seeds onto work surface. Roughly chop seeds. Measure out 1/3 cup (75 mL) of chopped zucchini seeds; discard remainder.
• In bowl, stir together measured zucchini seeds, cooled quinoa, tomatoes, green onions, feta, olive oil, garlic seasoning and egg white. Spoon mixture evenly into zucchini halves. Place in 8-inch square (2 L) glass baking dish. Add ½ cup (125 mL) water to bottom of dish. Bake uncovered) in centre of oven for 35 minutes or until zucchini is tender.

STUFFED ZUCCHINI BOATS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400˚ F. Drizzle a rimmed baking sheet with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Season the zucchini halves with salt and pepper. Add to the baking sheet and turn to coat with the oil. Arrange the zucchini cut-side down in a single layer. Roast until crisp-tender, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in the cumin and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper; cook 30 seconds. Add the turkey and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and chicken broth until combined. Cook until the broth is reduced to a thick sauce, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Turn the zucchini boats cut-side up and fill with the turkey mixture, packing it in. Sprinkle with the cheese and roast until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is softened, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, stir together the yogurt and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper. Drizzle the zucchini boats with the yogurt mixture and top with the dill.

QUINOA-STUFFED SQUASH BOATS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°. Cut each squash lengthwise in half; remove and discard seeds. Lightly brush cut sides with 1 teaspoon oil; sprinkle with pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Place on a baking sheet, cut side down. Bake until tender, 15-20 minutes., Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine broth and quinoa; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until liquid is absorbed, 12-15 minutes., Stir in garbanzo beans, cranberries, green onion, sage, lemon zest, lemon juice and the remaining oil and salt; spoon into squash. Sprinkle with cheese and pumpkin seeds.

STUFFED ZUCCHINI "BOATS" --

Steps:

• Cook the whole zucchini until tender-crisp, 10-15 minutes. Cool enough to handle and cut in half lengthwise. Cut off the stem and blossom ends, scoop out and reserve the centers, leaving 1/4" on bottom and sides.
• Brown, crumble and drain the sausage. Using the same pan heat the olive oil and saute the garlic, onions, zucchini, red and green peppers, Italian seasoning and optional fennel seeds. Cool slightly.
• Add the browned sausage and season lightly with salt and pepper., if needed. Add the beaten egg.
• Spoon the mixture into the scooped out zucchini halves.
• Bake 350 degrees, 30 minutes, until heated through and browned slightly.