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Mexican Zucchini Boats
5 from 4 votes

Mexican Zucchini Boats

Balanced, flavorful, and enjoyable—this recipe has it all.

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
Servings: 4 servings (8 zucchini boats)
Calories: 723 kcal
Course: Main Course

Ingredients

  • 4 zucchini medium or 3 large
  • 2 tablespoons cooking oil for frying
  • 1 onion medium
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 lb ground pork 450g, or just beef
  • 1 lb ground beef 450g, or just beef
  • 2 1/3 tablespoons fajita seasoning or Taco seasoning, homemade
  • 1 crushed tomatoes 14oz/400ml can
  • 1/2 Kidney Beans 14oz/400ml can, 140g
  • 1/2 corn 14oz/400ml can, 120g
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
  • 7 oz cheddar cheese 2 cups, sharp, (200g
  • lime juice optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise, don't trim off the stem ends. Use a teaspoon to carefully scoop the flesh out of the zucchinis (scoop out a lot of the flesh, leaving about 1/4-inch (5mm) border on all sides). Reserve the scooped-out flesh, chop it roughly with a knife, squeeze out excess water.
  2. Dice the bell paprika and onion, chop the garlic very finely.
  3. Preheat the oven to 350°F / 180°C / Gas Mark 4, no fan.
  4. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-low heat. When hot add the bell pepper and onion. Cook, stirring from time to time, for about 3-4 minutes, or until the onion is soft. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
  5. Add reserved zucchini flesh. Cook for about 10 minutes over medium-high heat or until most of the moisture is evaporated (zucchini should reduce its volume a lot or the filling won't fit into the boats).
  6. Add ground meat and Fajita seasoning, cook for a couple of minutes over high heat or until the meat is no longer pink.
  7. Add the crushed tomatoes, corn, and beans. Cook for a couple of minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Fill the zucchini boats with the sauce.
  9. Place the zucchini on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes (baking time may vary depending on the thickness of the zucchini boats, zucchini should be tender but still a little bit crunchy).
  10. Take the baking sheet out of the oven and sprinkle the zucchini boats with shredded cheese.
  11. Broil for about a couple of minutes or until the cheese is melted (if you don't have this setting you can turn on grill or fan setting or just bake the zucchinis 10 minutes longer until the cheese is melted).
  12. Drizzle zucchini boats with lime juice.
  13. Enjoy!

Notes

  • You can use ground beef or turkey instead of beef and pork mix.
  • If you don't want to make a whole batch of my Fajita seasoning, you can add to this recipe: 2 teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon cumin. Please note that the chili powder is a spice mix, not pure chili!
  • Calories = 1 serving (1/4 of the recipe) = 2 zucchini boats (1 whole zucchini). This is only an estimate!

Nutrition Information

Calories 723kcal (36%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 servings (8 zucchini boats)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 723

% Daily Value*

Calories 723kcal 36%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.