Vegetarian Zucchini Boats Recipe: Easy Zucchini Dinner Idea (2024)

This vegetarian zucchini boats recipe is a delicious way to use zucchini from your garden as a main dish. It’s easy to make, and you can freeze fresh zucchini to make healthy zucchini dinners anytime throughout the year. Keep reading to discover how to make this easy vegetarian recipe as healthy meal for your family.

Vegetarian Zucchini Boats Recipe: Easy Zucchini Dinner Idea (1)

In the summer, zucchini is often a side dish in my house. It’s a healthy food that is in abundant supply, and there are so many recipes that you can make with it. Most zucchini recipes are for desserts or side dishes, but I like to make a simple stuffed zucchini recipe as a main dish.

This vegetarian zucchini boats recipe is easy to prepare, even on busy evenings. Since it’s vegetarian, it’s a light dinner, which is perfect for hot summer days in the south. This recipe is easy to customize, so each person can make their own with different toppings.

Vegetarian Zucchini Boats Recipe: Easy Zucchini Dinner Idea (2)

I used tomato sauce, but you can also use fresh tomatoes if you have some fresh tomatoes from the garden. Customize your simple stuffed zucchini recipe with different cheeses and vegetables like onions or green peppers or add fresh mushrooms. If someone isn’t vegetarian, add cooked meat or even pepperoni on one while still making the rest a vegetarian zucchini boats recipe.

Other zucchini boat recipes call for scooping out more of the flesh and mixing it with the stuffing ingredients. However, that’s not necessary for these quick and easy zucchini boats. You can leave the zucchini flesh in the shell and save time prepping this vegetarian dinner recipe. To make this recipe for vegetarian stuffed zucchini boats, you simply remove the seeds from the zucchini.

Vegetarian Zucchini Boats Recipe: Easy Zucchini Dinner Idea (3)

How Do You Hollow Out Zucchini?

You’ll need to hollow out the zucchini to make vegetarian stuffed zucchini boats. To hollow out the zucchini for this simple stuffed zucchini recipe, follow these directions:

  • Wash the zucchini and then trim the ends off. Cut the zucchini lengthwise.
  • Then use a spoon or a melon baller to scoop out the seeds. You want to remove all of the seeds and any strings that are in the center. The seeds are edible, so if you miss a few, it won’t harm anyone.
  • Work from one side of the zucchini and press the spoon firmly into the zucchini and pull towards the other side. Be sure not to press too hard and remove all of the flesh.
  • Some recipes call for scooping out most of the flesh to add to the filling. However, you do not need to remove all of the flesh of the zucchini to make this vegetarian zucchini boats recipe. You will simply be adding toppings inside and on top of the zucchini rather than using the zucchini to create the topping.



Vegetarian Zucchini Boats Recipe: Easy Zucchini Dinner Idea (4)

Stuffed Zucchini Recipe Tips

Use these tips when you prepare your vegetarian stuffed zucchini boats:

  • Before you slice the zucchini to hollow it out, cut a thin slice from opposite sides of the zucchini. This will stop your vegetarian stuffed zucchini from rolling as they bake.
  • Don’t scoop out too much of the zucchini. You want to be able to eat it for its nutrition, and you need it to support your vegetarian stuffed zucchini boats.
  • Top with fresh or dried herbs, cherry tomatoes or different kinds of cheeses to create variations on this simple stuffed zucchini recipe.
  • Add breadcrumbs to the top before baking to change the texture and taste of this vegetarian zucchini boats recipe.
  • You can also use pesto on top of this healthy zucchini boats recipe for extra flavor, if desired.



Vegetarian Zucchini Boats Recipe: Easy Zucchini Dinner Idea (5)

Can You Freeze Zucchini Boats?

Yes, you can easily freeze this zucchini boats recipe to make later. After you hollow out your zucchini, blanch it in boiling water for one minute. Then remove from the hot water and let dry and cool completely. Freeze the zucchini in a single layer in an airtight container. They will freeze up to three months.

When you want to make a vegetarian zucchini boats recipe, place the zucchini boats in the fridge overnight to thaw. Then continue with this simple stuffed zucchini recipe as directed.

Note that zucchini can get watery if you freeze it and thaw it. It will still taste fine, but it might get mushy. Set it on a towel as it thaws to absorb some of the water.

Vegetarian Zucchini Boats Recipe: Easy Zucchini Dinner Idea (6)

For nutrition information, serving suggestions and additional cooking tips and tricks, be sure to visit the original post for this easy zucchini dinner idea here.

Vegetarian Zucchini Boats Recipe: Easy Zucchini Dinner Idea (7)
Vegetarian Zucchini Boats Recipe: Easy Zucchini Dinner Idea (2024)

FAQs

How to cook zucchini so it doesn't get soggy? ›

3 Ways to Avoid Soggy Zucchini

To do this, cut up a pound of zucchini and toss it with ½ teaspoon of table salt. Let it drain in a colander for about 30 minutes before patting it dry and cooking it. You can embrace zucchini's plump nature by cooking it for longer and letting it turn soft and silky.

Why is my sauteed zucchini soggy? ›

Mushy veggies are also often the result of overcooking. When the interior is loaded with moisture, you have to cook it for much longer to evaporate all of the water and avoid the interior having the unappealing, spongy, raw texture that eggplant and zucchini are notorious for.

How to cook squash without it getting mushy? ›

It dries a but instead of squishing. Cut very thin, season generously and dry in a food dehydrator. I roast them in the oven at 425 degrees after tossing them with some olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs. Let them cook for 25–30 minutes and they are ready to serve.

How do you remove water from zucchini before cooking? ›

Place zucchini slices in colander and sprinkle with 2 teaspoons salt. Set colander over bowl until about 1/3 cup water drains from zucchini, about 30 minutes. Rinse and thoroughly dry zucchini.

Should you salt zucchini before sauteing? ›

Zucchini: Zucchini can nearly dissolve during the cooking process by steaming in its own water content (not always a good thing). Salt it first to taste the full potential of the herbs with our Sauteed Zucchini with Olives and Lemon side dish.

Why is my sauteed zucchini bitter? ›

Remove the Seeds: The seeds and surrounding flesh can sometimes contribute to bitterness. You can scoop out the seeds before cooking. Salt and Drain: Sprinkle salt on sliced zucchini and let it sit for about 15-20 minutes. This draws out excess moisture and bitterness.

Is it okay to eat mushy zucchini? ›

Things You Should Know

If you see mold, black spots, browning, yellowing, shriveling, or wrinkling on the skin of your zucchini, it has likely gone bad. A soft, mushy, or slimy texture also indicates spoilage. When picking zucchini at the store, look for smooth, blemish-free skin with a vibrant dark green color.

Does zucchini lower blood pressure? ›

Zucchini contains the water-soluble fiber pectin. Pectin may lower bad cholesterol and lipid levels in a person's blood, promoting good heart health. Furthermore, zucchini is also high in potassium, which can help manage high blood pressure.

Do you salt zucchini before or after cooking? ›

Salt your zucchini before cooking.

The salt draws the moisture from the flesh which helps ensure that the vegetable stays firm during roasting. This moisture (and excess salt) is patted off with a paper towel before cooking.

How can I enhance the flavor of zucchini? ›

You can season the oil before you add the zucchini with garlic, shallots, spices, or red pepper flakes, it's totally up to you. Once the oil, butter, or combination thereof is heated, add all of the zucchini. If the pan seems crowded at first, don't worry. Season with salt and toss to begin drawing out the moisture.

How to tell when zucchini is cooked? ›

Once the zucchini is caramelizing, you'll continue to cook it until it's until tender all the way through—a paring knife or a fork should slip in without much resistance—but not yet mushy.

Why does my squash have no flavor? ›

If it's underripe, the squash won't have developed its signature taste. If it's overripe, it may be dry, mushy or flavorless. Follow these tips the next time you're at the grocery store or farmers market to find the perfect recipe-ready butternut squash.

Why does my squash taste bland? ›

If you pick too early, the flesh will not be fully developed and the squash will lack flavor and not be that wonderfully vegetal sweet that is the wonder of butternut, honeynut, delicata, acorn, pumpkin and kabocha, among dozens of other winter squash.

How do you keep zucchini from getting slimy? ›

Avoid storing zucchini in plastic, which can trap moisture and make the skin slimy. Either leave zucchini loose or place it in a paper bag.

Why is my zucchini turning to mush? ›

Blossom End Rot

It's occurs due to the plants inability to get calcium. This can be caused by a few things: Watering inconsistency (the most likely cause especially if you've had a lot of rain) Soil PH is either too high or too low (do a PH test to check)

How do you firm up zucchini? ›

Arrange the zucchini pieces into a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. (It will stick to the pan if you don't line it first!) Freeze the zucchini for about 1 hour, until it's firm to the touch, then transfer it to an airtight container to preserve the flavor as you store it.

Why is my zucchini so slimy when I cook it? ›

This, the outlet asserts, is due to zucchini's high water content: If it cooks too slowly, it will release its moisture before it sears, becoming soggy and sodden. Over high heat, on the other hand, zucchini becomes caramelized on the outside but retains a meaty, firm texture within.

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