Zucchini Boats

Source: TasteOfHome.com

Ingredients
  • 2 medium zucchini (about 8 inches)
  • 3/4 pound ground beef
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh mushrooms
  • 1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper
  • 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup ( this is your opportunity to “doctor-up” this recipe. Don’t over do it, and keep the flavor profile of the dish in mind. These are mid-summer vegetables, and varying this ingredient can swing this dish from hearty to light and back. )
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Trim the ends off zucchini. Cut zucchini in half lengthwise; scoop out pulp, leaving 1/2-in. shells. Finely chop pulp.
  2. In a skillet, cook beef, zucchini pulp, onion, mushrooms and peppers over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Remove from the heat. Add 1/2 cup cheese, ketchup, salt and pepper; mix well. Spoon into the zucchini shells. Place in a greased 13×9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
  3. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until zucchini is tender.
Notes

When scooping out the pulp for Zucchini Boats, a teaspoon is just the right size. Use your food processor or blender to finely chop the pulp quickly.

Nutrition Facts

1 stuffed zucchini half: 312 calories, 20g fat (9g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 337mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 24g protein.