Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Step 2

Slice the tops off the round zucchini and scoop out the middle using a grapefruit spoon. Make sure to leave a small amount of the perimeter intact so that the squash retains its shape. Reserve the insides of the zucchini and set aside.

Step 3

Place the hollowed out zucchini in a baking dish along with the sliced tops and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and bake for 15-18 minutes until fork tender.

Step 4

Meanwhile, place the vegetable broth in a small sauce pot and bring to a boil. Once boiling, add the quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover and cook until the liquid is fully absorbed. Fluff with a fork and transfer to a mixing bowl. Set aside.

Step 5

While the quinoa cooks and the zucchini is in the oven, add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil to a skillet over medium heat.

Step 6

Add the shallots and garlic to the pan and sauté until softened and fragrant, about 3 minutes.

Step 7

Next, add the reserved insides of the zucchini to the skillet and sauté until the moisture fully cooks out, about 7-8 minutes.

Step 8

Add the parsley to the skillet, season with salt and pepper and stir to combine.

Step 9

Transfer the zucchini, shallot, garlic mixture to the bowl with the cooked quinoa and stir together.

Step 10

Spoon the filling into the baked round zucchini, top with the zucchini caps and serve each stuffed zucchini as an individual portion.