Stuffed Summer Squash Boats Food

STUFFED SUMMER SQUASH BOATS

Steps:

• Cut the squash in half lengthwise; cut a thin slice from the bottom of each with a sharp knife to allow it to sit flat.
• Scoop out pulp, leaving 1/4-in. shells.
• Place the shells in an un-greased 3-qt. microwave-safe dish.
• Cover and microwave on high for 3 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain and set aside to cool.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the ground beef, onion and garlic in olive oil until tender.
• Add the ground beef and cook until the beef is no longer pink; drain.
• Remove from the heat; stir in the marinara sauce, egg, bread crumbs, salt, pepper and 1/2 cup of the cheese.
• Place a bit of the marinara on the bottom of a baking dish.
• Spoon about 1/4 cup of the beef mixture into each shell.
• Top with the remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20 minutes.
• Serve with additional marinara sauce and a side salad. Yield: 4 servings.

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.

BAKED STUFFED YELLOW SQUASH BOATS

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
• Cut yellow squash in half lengthwise.
• With a spoon, scrape flesh and seeds of squash into a large bowl, making boats.
• In a pan sauté onion and garlic over medium heat with a dash of olive oil.
• Add the squash that was removed from the boats and season with kosher salt and pepper.
• Cook until almost soft (around 7 minutes).
• When squash is almost soft, remove from heat and mix in bowl with 1 egg, breadcrumbs, herbs and parmesan cheese.
• Scoop stuffing mixture into boats and fill evenly.
• Sprinkle the top of the stuffed boats with extra parmesan cheese.
• Cook in pre-heated oven (400 degrees) until boats are crisp tender and golden brown on top (around 10 minutes).

CHEF JOHN'S STUFFED SUMMER SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly coat it with 1 teaspoon olive oil.
• Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a nonstick pan over medium heat. Stir in sausage and red bell pepper. Cook, stirring to break up sausage into small pieces, until sausage is browned and bell pepper is soft and sweet, 7 to 8 minutes. Drain off any fat.
• Stir goat cheese and sausage mixture in a bowl until well combined. Set aside.
• Hollow out a 3/4-inch deep well in the center of each squash half. Place each piece on the prepared baking sheet, cut-side up. Season with salt and black pepper; fill each with 1 to 2 tablespoons cheese and sausage mixture. Top each squash with breadcrumbs and lightly drizzle with remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil.
• Bake in the preheated oven until filling is golden and squash is tender, about 30 minutes.

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.

ROASTED SUMMER SQUASH BOATS

Steps:

• Slice squash in half lengthwise. With a sharp spoon, scoop out the soft inside portion of the squash to form a canoe shape. Chop the squash innards roughly and set aside.
• Heat oil in a frying pan. Add onions and garlic, saute for one minute.
• Add squash innards and cook, stirring, about 2-3 minutes until most of the excess water has evaporated.
• Mix in cheese and tomato paste, cook 2-3 more minutes.
• Spoon this filling evenly into each squash boat. Sprinkle seasoning and pepper on top.
• Place boats in a nonstick baking dish, and bake at 170C for 20-25 minutes (depending on the size and thickness of the boats).