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GARDEN-STUFFED ITALIAN ZUCCHINI BOATS - the perfect easy weeknight dinner to make for your family
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HOW TO MAKE EASY GARDEN-STUFFED ITALIAN ZUCCHINI BOATS

Use your favorite farmers' market fresh ingredients to make these easy garden-stuffed Italian Zucchini Boats as a quick weeknight meal for your family.
Course Main Dishes {Vegetarian}
Cuisine Italian
Diet Vegan
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 8 BOATS
Calories
Author Holly Waterfall

Ingredients

  • 4 zucchinis
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 large red onion sliced into half moons
  • 1 red or yellow bell pepper diced
  • 8 ounces baby bella mushrooms chopped small
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground pepper
  • 1 Tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 1/2 tsp italian seasoning
  • 2/3 cup pasta sauce I used a tomato basil sauce
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/2 cup black olives sliced
  • 1/2 cup pepperoncinis sliced
  • 4-5 basil leaves chopped for topping

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350. Lightly drizzle a 9x13 pan with olive oil.
  • Cut zucchinis in half length-wise and carefully scoop out the insides so you're left with a boat of zucchini that's around 1/4" thick on all sides. Lightly sprinkle with sea salt and set in prepared pan. This will draw out the moisture so you don't have soggy zucchini boats.
  • In a large skillet set to medium, heat olive oil. Once hot, sauce onions and peppers for about 10 minutes or until onions begin to brown and caramelize. Season with salt and pepper. Add mushrooms and stir. Cook until liquids release, about 4 minutes.
  • Add minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook for 30 seconds or until fragrant. Remove from heat.
  • With a paper towel or napkin, wipe out salt and water from zucchini boats.
  • Assemble boats by spreading about 2 Tablespoons of your favorite pasta sauce in the bottom of each zucchini. Then add 2 Tablespoons of the pepper and mushroom mix into the boats. Top with tomato halves, olives, and pepperoncinis.
  • Bake for 30 minutes or until warmed through and tomatoes have burst.
  • Top with freshly chopped basil.
  • Enjoy!