Wondering what to do with that giant basket of zucchini that your neighbor brought over? Or did your little experimental garden suddenly grow overnight like a Little Shop of Horrors remake? That’s what mine did – it’s taking over my fence and trying to swallow my neighbors innocent and lovely trumpet vine (sorry guys).
True, there’s no shortage of zucchini recipes out there at the moment. Just about every blog I subscribe to has posted at least one. But the problem I have is that most of them are for the ‘normal’ size zucchini that more resemble the shape of a cucumber. Mine, on the other hand, resemble a football (that pretty little onion is also from our garden :)).
Enter: Zucchini boats. I did find a recipe that involved hamburger and spaghetti sauce but I wanted to make it using many of the ingredients from Aunt Jann’s Lebanese Hamburger and Rice recipe. I used Turkey Burger instead but either will work.
Here’s what you’ll need:
2 Large Zucchinis (you can use any of the larger squash for this – acorn would be good, spaghetti…)
2 C. Rice (I used basmati because it’s what I had)
1 lb. Turkey Burger (or Hamburger)
1 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. allspice
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3 T. Pine Nuts
1 T. dried Parsley
1 C. shredded cheese
Wash the zucchini and then cut them in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds.
“I’m sorry” you say, “is that the orange scoop that comes in pumpkin carving kits?”
Why yes, yes it is. What? It works great!
Put two halves ‘boat side up’ on a microwave safe plate and brush the insides with butter. Cover in saran wrap and microwave on high for 3-3 1/2 minutes. Repeat with remaining zucchini. Meanwhile, cook the rice according to package directions and set aside. Cook up your burger in a frying pan adding all of the spices. Once cooked add the nuts and rice.
Scoop the mixture into the boats (you will likely have leftover) and microwave two at a time for 4 minutes, this time uncovered. Repeat with the other two zucchini. Sprinkle about 1/4 C. of cheese on each of the boats and once again, microwave two at a time for about another 3-4 minutes. These will be steaming HOT! Let cool for just a few minutes then serve.
I served fresh watermelon and cantaloupe with mine.
Here’s what I love the most about this dish
- It’s healthy, especially if you use lean turkey
- No oven necessary! Who wants to turn their oven on when it’s 90 degrees outside?
- The flavor is incredible.
- Zucchini-d out? No problem, the Ham/Turkey burger alone is a fantastic main dish!
- Add ‘boat’ to the name of your dinner and automatically your kids are 10 times more likely to eat it 🙂
What’s you favorite ‘main dish’ zucchini recipe?