The Mediterranean stuffed zucchini boats
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This Mediterranean stuffed zucchini boats recipe with feta and spinach is one of the best healthy dinner ideas and one of the quick easy recipes to prepare and enjoy at home.
If you are checking this blog, then the chances that you are looking for a loaded fulfilling meal with low calories are very high. Do not worry. You landed on the right article. Zucchini boats come in different variations. Hence this recipe is tweakable to suit your taste buds as you enjoy a healthy dish homely prepared. However, I am an advocate of the feta and spinach combination for several reasons. One is the nutrients that these two ingredients are loaded with. The second is that I am a Mediterranean person and I always find myself attached to my roots when it comes to meals.
My vegetarian stuffed zucchini boats are stuffed with spinach puree, feta cheese, and ricotta cheese. Their stuffing is quite similar to Spanakopita, the Greek spinach pie. And if you have not yet tried making this pie then you are missing a lot. Therefore, do not forget to check my delicious and healthy recipe that you can enjoy with the whole family. This recipe is an ideal choice if you are looking for healthy dinner ideas for your family.
What is this recipe made with?
- Zucchini: try to cut each zucchini into 2 halves lengthwise.
- Feta cheese: Feta has salt within along with a sour taste which makes it an essential ingredient in this recipe.
- Spinach: Loaded with iron, and vitamin K along with other vitamins and minerals, spinach is an essential contributor to the bank of health benefits you will gain from this recipe.
- Olive oil: in addition to its flavor that adds perfectly to Mediterranean dishes, olive oil helps to boost the good cholesterol in the body.
- Garlic, onion, and dried parsley: in addition to their health benefits, they are there to boost the flavor of these Mediterranean stuffed zucchini boats.
- Sweet pepper: a pinch is enough, although you can add it to the taste.
Is this recipe tweakable?
Of course, in all dimensions. Zucchini boats are served with different fillings. Try filling it with meat tacos, chicken fajitas, chicken teriyaki, sausages, and Bolognese … Feel free to improvise.
This recipe is served as an appetizer or a light dinner, hence, it is not baked with red or white sauce. Yet you can bake these Mediterranean stuffed zucchini boats in red or béchamel sauce, and serve them next to a bowl of rice as a main dish for lunch or dinner.
How long to cook these Mediterranean stuffed zucchini boats?
The whole process from preparing the filling, making the vessel of the boats, stuffing the zucchini, and baking takes 30 to 35 minutes. This recipe is by far one of the quick easy recipes to prepare. It is an ideal choice if you are looking for healthy dinner ideas for you and the family.
Homemade or store-bought feta cheese?
If you have gone through my website then you have definitely guessed my preference. Homemade feta cheese all the way! You can prepare Feta cheese at home with less hassle. I have written a detailed blog on how to prepare feta cheese. Now back to our Mediterranean stuffed zucchini boats, you can always opt for store-bought Feta cheese if you do not have time and you still want to feed your late-night cravings.
Why is this dish considered healthy?
The answer is simple: its ingredients. Zucchini is rich in vitamins and minerals. It is loaded with Vitamin A which supports the vision and immune system. On the other hand, spinach one of the filling’s main ingredients is an important source of vitamin K. It is as well rich in calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. All these nutrients are essential in maintaining bone health. Moving to Feta cheese, it is also an important component that improves bone health and density thanks to the high levels of calcium, and phosphorus it holds.
What to serve with these Mediterranean stuffed zucchini boats?
Here are some recommendations:
Why making this recipe is a must?
- Loaded with vitamins and minerals
- Fulfilling low car meal to enjoy at night with no guilt
- Adaptable to suit all taste buds
- Quick and easy recipe to prepare in no time
Can I freeze stuffed zucchini boats?
Yes, you can, but I do not recommend it. When the filling of the zucchini is removed to make the vessel of the boat, it will become thin. Hence, when frozen zucchini tends to become mushy after defrosting.
If you love recipes with Feta, then check this Baked Feta pasta salad recipe. Please leave a rating and a comment below if you like this recipe. I would like to invite you to visit my social media pages. You can find me on Pinterest, Tiktok, Instagram, and YouTube. Please follow & subscribe to keep track of the new posts and videos! Thank you for your support!
These Mediterranean stuffed zucchini boats with feta and spinach are the best healthy dinner idea and one of the quick easy recipes to prepare
Ingredients
- 2 zucchinis
- 100 g spinach puree
- 125 g feta cheese
- 1 tsp chopped onion
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 3 tbsps. olive oil
- A pinch of sweet or black pepper
Instructions
- Cut zucchini into halves lengthwise.
- Remove the filling of the zucchini to prepare the vessel of the boat.
- Sprinkle salt and bake for 5 minutes to remove any water excess.
- Meanwhile, chop the spinach and soak them in hot water for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Make a ball with the spinach and press to drain all the water.
- In a bowl, combine the spinach, feta, parsley, pepper, onion, garlic with 2 tbsps. olive oil.
- Start adding the spinach and feta filling to the zucchini boats.
- Drizzle 1 tbsp. olive oil on top of the boats and bake for 10 to 15 minutes at 180 degrees.
Notes
- Avoid freezing zucchini boats as they become mushy when defrosted.
- Feta cheese has salt within. Hence the ingredients do not include salt. However, you can still add salt to taste.
Nutrition
Calories: 181 kcal per serving | Serving size: 1/2 zucchini | Number of servings: 4
Total Fat 15 g | Saturated Fat 5 g | Cholesterol 17 mg | Sodium 416 mg | Potassium 82 mg | Total Carbohydrate 4 g | Dietary Fiber 1 g | Sugars 2 g | Protein 8 g | Vitamin A: 21% | Vitamin C: 9% | Calcium: 18% | Iron: 2%
* The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
