Baked Zucchini Boats With Shrimp

Zucchini boats are not difficult to prepare.

Zucchini is a versatile vegetable with a subtle flavor that pairs well with many other foods. It is therefore not surprising that zucchini and shrimp go very well together. These zucchini boats that are filled with shrimp and other tasty ingredients are both healthy and delicious. They are suitable as a main course during a light lunch, or as a side dish for a dinner. They also make a good dish for entertaining. This recipe feeds four people.

Things You'll Need

• 2 medium sized zucchini
• Olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 10 grape tomatoes, sliced in half lengthwise
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• Juice of 1 fresh lemon
• 1 cup small shrimp, or large shrimp cut into bite-sized pieces
• 3 tbsp. chopped fresh basil
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• ½ Cup feta cheese
• Salt
• Pepper
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish, if desired
• Sharp paring knife
• Shallow baking dish
• Frying pan
• Wooden spoon
• Fork

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Wash the zucchini under cold water. Using a sharp paring knife, trim the ends and slice them in half lengthwise. Scoop out the inner flesh, leaving a little more than ¼ inch of flesh in the zucchini. Chop and reserve the flesh you have cut out of it.

2. Grease a shallow baking dish with olive oil. Place the zucchini halves in the baking pan. You may need to trim part of the bottoms to stabilize them. They should resemble boats that will be filled and then baked.

3. Saute the chopped onion in olive oil until it starts to become transparent. Add the sliced grape tomatoes, chopped garlic, chopped reserved zucchini flesh and lemon juice. Continue to saute for about two more minutes.

4. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the shrimp, basil, feta cheese and breadcrumbs, using a wooden spoon. Add salt and pepper to taste.

5. Stuff the zucchini boats with the filling. Bake them for 20 minutes, until the zucchini boats are fork-tender. Remove them from the oven and let them rest for at least five minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves, if desired. Your shrimp filled zucchini boats will be ready to eat.

References

• The Fifth Tine: Shrimp Stuffed Zucchini
• Cdkitchen: Red Lobster Basil Shrimp Stuffed Zucchini Recipe
• "Mediterranean: 500 Classic Recipes": Jollands, Beverley; 2007