Description
🌶️ Enjoy a flavorful and healthy meal with these spicy zucchini taco boats filled with fresh veggies and lean protein.
🥒 This recipe is perfect for a quick, low-carb dinner that’s easy to prepare and customizable to your palate.
Ingredients
– 4 medium or large zucchini, cut in half lengthwise and seeded
– 2 cups spicy salsa (or salsa of choice)
– 1 pound lean ground turkey
– 1 ounce taco seasoning packet
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/2 teaspoon cumin
– 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
– 1/2 teaspoon paprika
– 1/2 small white or yellow onion, minced
– 1 large red bell pepper, diced
– 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce (unsalted)
– 1 small jalapeño, seeded and membrane removed
– 1 teaspoon red pepper chili flakes
– 1/4 cup water
– 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar and jack blend recommended)
– 1 medium avocado, cubed for optional toppings
– 1/4 cup chopped scallions for optional toppings
– 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes for optional toppings
– Parsley for garnish for optional toppings
Instructions
1-Preheat your oven: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C), which gives you a moment to get everything prepped without rushing.
2-Wash and prepare zucchinis: Next, wash and halve the zucchinis lengthwise, then scoop out the centers to create those boat shapes. Don’t toss that scooped-out flesh set it aside because we’ll use it in the filling to add extra flavor and cut down on waste. In a skillet over medium heat, sauté diced onions and minced garlic until they’re translucent and smelling amazing that’s my favorite step, as it really wakes up the whole dish.
3-Cook the filling: Once that’s done, add your ground turkey and cook until it’s browned, stirring to break it up. For a vegetarian twist, you can substitute with plant-based options, which I’ll chat about later. Then, stir in the scooped zucchini flesh, diced tomatoes, black beans, and taco seasoning, letting it all simmer for 5-7 minutes so the flavors meld together nicely.
4-Fill and bake: Spoon that hearty filling evenly into your zucchini boats and top with shredded cheese for that gooey goodness. Pop them on a baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is melted.
5-Garnish and serve: Finally, garnish with fresh cilantro or avocado if you like, and serve it up warm. It’s that simple, and I promise, the results will have you coming back for seconds.
Notes
🥒 Chop zucchini insides and add to the taco filling for extra flavor and to reduce waste.
🌶️ For more spice, leave jalapeño seeds in, but handle with care to avoid irritation.
🕒 Prepare zucchini boats ahead of time and refrigerate before baking for convenience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 to 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking, cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 zucchini boat
- Calories: 389 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g (estimate)
- Sodium: 600 mg (estimate)
- Fat: 15 g (estimate)
- Saturated Fat: 6 g (estimate)
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g (estimate)
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g (estimate)
- Fiber: 5 g (estimate)
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg (estimate)
Keywords: Zucchini, taco boats, spicy dinner, veggie filling