Summer is here and so are a whole array of seasonal vegetables! Today, we are putting the spotlight on a summer favorite – zucchini. Zucchini is naturally low in calories and rich in nutrients such as potassium, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. Check out the nutritious and delicious recipe below!

Melty-Cheesy Zucchini Boats

Prep: 20 minutes Cook: 30 minutes Serving: 8

Ingredients:

4 medium zucchini (about 8oz each)

2 tbsp olive oil, divided

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 lb ground turkey

1 tbsp minced garlic (3 cloves)

1 cup chopped yellow onion (1 small)

1 -14.5oz can petite diced tomatoes, drained

2 tsp Italian seasoning

⅔ cup panko breadcrumbs, divided

½ cup low-fat shredded mozzarella

⅔ cup shredded parmesan cheese, divided

1 ½ tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Instructions: 

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 13×9-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. Using a spoon, scoop centers from zucchini while leaving a ¼-inch rim on all sides to create a boat. Drizzle 1 tbsp olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, heat the other 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and sauté 3 minutes.
  4. Add ground turkey, cook through, while breaking up meat during cooking. Add garlic during the last minute of cooking.
  5. Remove from heat and stir in tomatoes, ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Sprinkle ⅓ cup parmesan over zucchini boats, then divide filling among zucchini boats.
  7. In a small mixing bowl stir together the mozzarella cheese, remaining parmesan, and remaining panko breadcrumbs. Sprinkle mixture over zucchini boats.
  8. Bake in the oven until tender, about 10 – 15 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and serve warm.

Calories per serving: 268 Total Carbohydrates 10grams, Protein 23 grams, Fat 15 grams

This recipe is inspired by our very own dietitian Abbey Granger, MS, RDN, LD food blog, The Food Mood RD.