Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375

Step 2

Cut zucchini in half lengthwise. Scoop out insides*, leaving no more than 1/4" at the edges to be the "boats" you will stuff. Set aside the zucchini insides to roughly chop and include in the stuffing. You will have about 3/4 cup zucchini pulp.

Step 3

Spread 1/4 cup marinara sauce onto the bottom of 9 x 13 baking dish. Place empty zucchini boats onto sauce and place in the oven to prebake for 10 minutes so begin the softening process.

Step 4

Prep ingredients: small dice onion, mushrooms and red pepper. I used my spice grinder to chop the walnuts, but you could also use a knife. You want something that's a bit larger than already ground walnuts (walnut meal), but smaller than pea sized pieces. They don't have to be perfectly uniform in size, but pieces that are too large will be crunchy in the final product.

Step 5

Heat a heavy skillet (I like to use cast iron) over medium heat. Swirl in olive oil (for oil-free, use 2 Tablespoons water) and then saute onions and mushrooms for a couple minutes. Sprinkle on salt, pepper, italian seasoning, garlic powder and onion powder and continue to cook for about 3 minutes, as onions and mushrooms release their juices.

Step 6

Add chopped zucchini pulp and red peppers and cook mixture, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes. If pan becomes too dry, add 1 Tablespoon water, and continue cooking.

Step 7

Stir in walnuts and tamari and cook for another 2 minutes. Everything should be soft.

Step 8

Remove zucchini boats from oven. Evenly distribute filling into zucchini cavities. Pile it on. Use up all the filling you have. Spoon 1 Tablespoon marinara sauce on top of each stuffed zucchini boat. Sprinkle with nutritional yeast and top with fresh herbs* if desired. Bake in oven for 25-30 minutes, until bubbly and zucchini boats are tender.

Step 9

Serve warm. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days and reheated in a 350 oven for 15 minutes, or until heated through.