Mediterranean Stuffed Zucchini Boats with Quinoa
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These Mediterranean Stuffed Zucchini Boats are a vegetarian-friendly and gluten free way to prepare zucchini boats. Plenty of vegetables and protein and a tasty meatless meal.
I’ve been making it my mission to eat more veggies lately, and in that effort I’ve been trying to switch up how I prepare said veggies. These stuffed zucchini boats might be my favorite way to eat zucchini, because you’re not only eating zucchini, but zucchini plus whatever the zucchini is stuffed with in every bite. A serious WIN if you ask me.
These Mediterranean stuffed zucchini boats are filled with quinoa, vegetables and some cheese, making them gluten free and vegetarian so you’ll feel good eating them. I made these the other week for Miguel and myself, and we were able to eat them two nights in a row with dinner. I treated them as more of a side dish/vegetable vs. a main dish, but you could absolutely have them be the star of your meal.
WHAT ARE ZUCCHINI BOATS?
Zucchini boats are when the flesh of the zucchini has been scooped out and filled with whatever filling you like. This can include anything from ground beef, turkey, quinoa, couscous and anything in between. Once the zucchini is filled, it will resemble a boat, hence the name zucchini boats.
HOW DO I MAKE ZUCCHINI BOATS?
Zucchini boats are surprisingly simple to prepare, but let me walk you through the main steps.
First, slice your zucchini length-ways. Remember that one zucchini equals two zucchini boats, so if you want six total, you’ll only need to buy three zucchini (I completely neglected this when I made this recipe and had leftover zucchini, which is also ok).
Next, use a melon baller or spoon to scoop out the flesh of the zucchini. You can discard it, or save it and use it in your morning smoothie.
Place the zucchini boats face up in a large baking sheet, then stuff them with your prepared ingredients. Make sure to use cooked filling — this recipe calls for quinoa, but the quinoa has to already be cooked. If you’re using meat, you’ll want to make sure the meat is cooked and prepared before placing it in the zucchini.
WHAT “MEDITERRANEAN” INGREDIENTS SHOULD I USE?
Great question! I used the “essentials” in this recipe, but there really is no limit for what you can use.
- quinoa
- tomatoes
- red onion
- chickpeas
- feta cheese
- other ingredients you can use: olives, fresh parsley, capers
OTHER GREEK/MEDITERRANEAN-INSPIRED RECIPES
Mediterranean Stuffed Zucchini Boats with Quinoa
Ingredients
- 3 zucchini, sliced and seeds removed
- 1/4 cup dry quinoa, rinsed
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/4 tsp oregano
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
- 1/2 cup chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, or more
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°.
- Combine quinoa and water and cook according to package instructions; then, stir in the dried spices (garlic, basil, oregano), along with the tomatoes, onion and chickpeas.
- While quinoa is cooking, prepare the zucchini and place them face up in a baking dish.
- Fill zucchini with quinoa mixture, then top it with cheese. Stir lemon juice and olive oil together, then drizzle it over top of the zucchini.
- Bake zucchini for 30 minutes, or until the zucchini is cooked.
- Serve with extra olive oil+cheese and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Made the recipe also using the insides, incorporated in the filling + adding some more flavours with sundried tomato and some spices (: Thank you for sharing, amazing recipe!!
Thanks so much! Great idea with adding in the tomato!
I really enjoyed these! Delicious!! I didn’t have any red onion so I used sweet and I added parsley and Greek olives! Fabulous! Thanks fo much! I will be making these often!
So glad you liked them!
I made this last night and it was so good! As another commenter suggested, I added artichokes because I’m obsessed with them and they did not disappoint!
Also, I don’t usually like red onions but I used them anyway and I’m so glad I did!
My only question is: based on the nutrition facts, how big is a serving?
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, and great question! A serving is a little less than 2 full zucchini boats.
I make this delicious recipe often – I recommend adding fresh parsley and 1/2 cup of artichoke hearts to the quinoa mixture.
I’m glad this has become a go-to recipe!
Thess look great! Could you please tell me if they can be frozen? and if yes, how much longer do you reckon I should cook them frm frozen? 15 minutes?
Thanks for sharing.
Hi! I don’t recommend freezing these because the zucchini will turn out mushy. You could make the filling in advance and freeze it, and then thaw it before stuffing the zucchini and baking them.
This is so good!
This looks so good! I’ve made zucchini boats before, but I honestly can’t remember what I put in them.
I’ll definitely be trying these
This looks so good! I’ve made zucchini boats before, but I honestly can’t remember what I put in them.
I’ll definitely be trying these
This looks so good