Tex Mex Stuffed Zucchini Food

TEX-MEX STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil; set aside. Place the acorn squash in a microwave-safe bowl with 1/4 cup water. Loosely cover with plastic wrap and microwave until fork-tender, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, spread the tofu on a large plate and press out the excess moisture with paper towels; set aside. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bell pepper and all but 2 tablespoons of the scallions; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, chili powder and cumin and stir to coat the vegetables. Add the tofu and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, breaking up any large chunks, until combined. Stir in the salsa. Remove from the heat.
• Set the squash halves cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet (trim the bottoms so they sit flat, if necessary). Pat dry and season the insides generously with salt and pepper. Stir half of the cheese into the tofu mixture, then divide among the squash halves. Top with the remaining cheese and bake until the filling is hot and the cheese is melted, about 10 minutes. Top with the reserved scallions and assorted toppings.

HERB-STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Split 2 medium zucchini and scoop out the seeds; season with salt. Combine 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1 chopped tomato, 1/4 cup mixed chopped parsley and dill, 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts, 1 minced garlic clove, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Spoon into the zucchini; drizzle with olive oil. Bake at 425 degrees F, 25 to 30 minutes.

STUFFED TEX-MEX YELLOW SQUASH

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees, with rack set in the top third. Halve each squash lengthwise; slice a sliver from the rounded part of each half so it sits flat. Leaving a 1/4-inch border, scoop out halves with a small spoon; roughly chop flesh, and reserve. Place squash halves, skin side down, in a shallow baking dish. Season with salt and pepper, and set aside.
• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Add reserved chopped squash, bell pepper, scallion whites, and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until bell pepper begins to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add tomato paste and chili powder; cook, stirring, until fragrant, 1 minute. Add beef; cook until no longer pink, breaking up meat with a spoon, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in corn and 1/4 cup Parmesan; season with salt and pepper.
• Dividing evenly, spoon mixture into squash halves. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan. Cover with aluminum foil, and bake until squash is tender, 30 to 35 minutes. Uncover, and bake until top is browned, 7 to 10 minutes more. Garnish with scallion greens.