Herbed Lamb-Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Transform your garden's bounty into a hearty and savory main dish with these Herbed Lamb-Stuffed Zucchini Boats. Utilizing fresh, round zucchini, this recipe combines the rich flavors of ground lamb with aromatic herbs and spices. The tender zucchini boats cradle a delicious filling crafted with onions, garlic, breadcrumbs, and fresh rosemary, making for a perfect family dinner. Optional cheese can be added to the stuffing for an extra creamy texture. Serve alongside steamed rice and a refreshing fruit salad for a complete meal that delights the senses!
4
Servings
235
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Zucchini
4 (washed and hollowed)
Olive oil
2 tablespoons (divided)
Onion
1 medium (chopped)
Garlic cloves
2 (chopped)
Ground lamb
1/2 lb
Fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon (finely chopped)
Kosher salt
1 teaspoon
Fresh ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon
Breadcrumbs
1/2 cup
Egg
1 (beaten lightly)
Instructions
1
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Rinse the zucchini thoroughly and cut off the stem end. If using long zucchini instead of round ones, slice them in half lengthwise. Use a melon baller or a spoon to carefully hollow out the centers of the zucchini, ensuring to leave enough flesh around the edges to form sturdy boats.
3
Coat the bottom of a baking dish with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then arrange the hollowed zucchini boats in the dish, cut side up.
4
In a non-stick skillet over medium heat, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté the chopped onions and garlic until they soften, taking care not to let them brown.
5
Add the ground lamb to the pan and cook until it is nearly cooked through, breaking it apart as it cooks.
6
Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the breadcrumbs, chopped rosemary, kosher salt, and fresh ground pepper until well combined.
7
In a separate bowl, lightly beat the egg, then stir it into the lamb mixture to bind the filling together.
8
Generously spoon the lamb filling into each zucchini boat, packing it tightly and mounding it slightly above the edges. Any excess filling that falls around will create delicious, crispy bits during baking.
9
Cover the baking dish loosely with foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 20 minutes.
10
After 20 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender and the filling is nicely browned.
11
Let cool for a moment before serving, and enjoy your delicious Herbed Lamb-Stuffed Zucchini Boats!
Nutrition Information
14.5g
Fat
9.5g
Carbs
15.5g
Protein
1.5g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Herbed Lamb-Stuffed Zucchini Boats?
A hearty and savory main dish that combines fresh zucchini with a rich filling of ground lamb, herbs, and spices.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
What is the calorie count for one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 235 calories.
What type of zucchini is recommended?
The recipe suggests fresh, round zucchini, but long zucchini sliced in half lengthwise can also be used.
How much ground lamb is needed?
You will need 1/2 pound of ground lamb for the filling.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
What ingredients are used for the filling?
The filling includes ground lamb, chopped onions, garlic, breadcrumbs, fresh rosemary, kosher salt, fresh ground pepper, and an egg.
What binds the lamb stuffing together?
One lightly beaten egg is used to bind the lamb mixture together.
How long do the zucchini boats bake in total?
They bake for a total of 30 to 35 minutes: 20 minutes covered and 10 to 15 minutes uncovered.
How much protein is in each serving?
There are 15.5 grams of protein per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
The fat content is 14.5 grams per serving.
What are the carbohydrate and fiber amounts?
Each serving contains 9.5 grams of carbohydrates and 1.5 grams of fiber.
How many garlic cloves are used?
The recipe calls for 2 chopped garlic cloves.
What tool should be used to hollow out the zucchini?
A melon baller or a spoon can be used to carefully hollow out the centers.
How much olive oil is required?
A total of 2 tablespoons of olive oil is needed, divided for the dish and for sautéing.
What fresh herb is highlighted in this recipe?
Fresh rosemary, finely chopped, provides the aromatic flavor for the stuffing.
Can I add cheese to the recipe?
Yes, optional cheese can be added to the stuffing for an extra creamy texture.
How do I prepare the zucchini for stuffing?
Rinse the zucchini, cut off the stem, hollow out the center while leaving enough flesh for a sturdy boat, and arrange them cut side up in a baking dish.
What is the purpose of covering the dish with foil?
Covering the dish loosely with foil for the first 20 minutes helps the zucchini soften without burning the filling.
What should I serve with these zucchini boats?
It is recommended to serve them alongside steamed rice and a refreshing fruit salad.
Do I need to cook the meat before stuffing?
Yes, the ground lamb should be cooked in a skillet with onions and garlic until nearly cooked through before being mixed with other ingredients.
What size onion is required?
One medium onion, chopped, is used in this recipe.
How much breadcrumbs are used?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs.
Should the zucchini be peeled?
No, the instructions indicate to rinse them and remove the stem end, leaving the skin intact to form the 'boat'.
How do I know when the dish is finished baking?
The dish is done when the zucchini is tender and the lamb filling is nicely browned.
Is this recipe considered a healthy option?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy, garden-focused recipe with moderate calories.
What kind of salt is specified?
The recipe specifies 1 teaspoon of kosher salt.
How do I arrange the boats in the pan?
Place them cut side up in a baking dish that has been coated with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
What happens to excess filling that falls into the dish?
Excess filling that falls around the boats will create delicious, crispy bits during the baking process.
Is this recipe suitable for families?
Yes, it is described as a perfect family dinner and a great way to use garden bounty.