Savory Ham and Cheese Stuffed Squash Boats
This hearty and flavorful dish transforms humble summer squash and zucchini into delightful boats filled with a savory mixture of diced ham, cheese, and breadcrumbs. Originating from a memorable meal shared during my teenage years, this recipe proves that squash can be incredibly satisfying and delicious. The combination of textures and flavors—creamy cheese, tender vegetables, and hearty ham—creates a scrumptious meal that your family will love. Serve these stuffed boats as a main dish for dinner or as a side for your next gathering.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
medium summer squash or medium zucchini
4 (cut in half lengthwise, pulp scooped out)
small onion
1 (finely chopped)
butter or margarine
2 tablespoons (melted)
diced cooked ham
1 cup (diced)
dry breadcrumbs
1/2 cup (no preparation needed)
shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup (no preparation needed)
shredded parmesan cheese
1/2 cup (divided)
egg
1 (beaten)
paprika
1 teaspoon (no preparation needed)
pepper
1/4 teaspoon (no preparation needed)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2
Cut the squash or zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out the pulp, leaving about a 3/8-inch shell. Chop the pulp and set it aside.
3
In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil and gently cook the squash shells for 4-5 minutes to soften them slightly. Drain and place them cut-side up on a lightly greased baking sheet.
4
In a separate skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and sauté the chopped onion until it becomes tender and translucent.
5
Remove the skillet from heat and add the diced ham, breadcrumbs, shredded cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup of the shredded Parmesan cheese, beaten egg, paprika, pepper, and the reserved squash pulp. Mix all the ingredients until well combined.
6
Carefully spoon the ham and cheese mixture into the prepared squash shells, packing lightly. Top each filled shell with the remaining Parmesan cheese.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the filling is heated through and the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Ham and Cheese Stuffed Squash Boats?
They are a hearty dish made by hollowing out summer squash or zucchini and filling them with a savory mixture of diced ham, cheese, and breadcrumbs.
Can I use zucchini for this recipe?
Yes, you can use either medium summer squash or medium zucchini as the base for the boats.
What oven temperature is required?
The oven should be preheated to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius).
How much pulp should I leave in the squash shell?
You should leave about a 3/8-inch shell when scooping out the pulp.
Do I throw away the scooped-out squash pulp?
No, the pulp should be chopped and reserved to be mixed back into the ham and cheese filling.
Why do I need to boil the squash shells?
Gently boiling the shells for 4-5 minutes helps soften them slightly before they are stuffed and baked.
How should I prepare the onion?
The onion should be finely chopped and then sauteed in butter until it is tender and translucent.
What kind of ham should I use?
The recipe calls for one cup of diced cooked ham.
What types of cheese are in the filling?
The recipe uses a combination of shredded cheddar cheese and shredded Parmesan cheese.
Is there an egg in the recipe?
Yes, one beaten egg is added to the filling mixture to help bind the ingredients together.
How long do the squash boats bake?
They should bake for 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven.
What seasonings are used in the stuffing?
The mixture is seasoned with one teaspoon of paprika and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
How many squash do I need?
The recipe requires 4 medium summer squash or zucchini.
How do I assemble the boats?
Spoon the ham and cheese mixture into the boiled shells, pack it lightly, and top with the remaining Parmesan cheese.
How much butter is used to saute the onions?
You will need 2 tablespoons of butter or margarine.
Should the baking sheet be greased?
Yes, place the shells cut-side up on a lightly greased baking sheet.
Can I use dry breadcrumbs?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 1/2 cup of dry breadcrumbs.
How much Parmesan goes into the mixture vs the top?
Use 1/4 cup inside the mixture and reserve the rest for topping the shells.
Is this a main dish or a side dish?
It can be served as a main dish for dinner or as a side for a gathering.
How do I know when the boats are finished baking?
They are done when the filling is heated through and the cheese on top is bubbly and golden.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, the recipe allows for either butter or margarine.
Is this recipe family-friendly?
Yes, it is described as a scrumptious meal that families will love due to its creamy cheese and hearty ham.
What is the texture of the squash boats?
They feature a combination of creamy cheese, tender vegetables, and hearty ham.
Can I make these boats without ham?
While the recipe specifies diced cooked ham, you could potentially omit it or use a vegetarian substitute for a meat-free version.
Do I need to peel the squash?
No, you leave the skin intact to form the 'boat' structure.
How many servings does this provide?
While servings are not specified, using 4 medium squash halves yields 8 stuffed boats.
What should I do with the skillet after sauteing onions?
Remove it from the heat before adding the ham, cheese, and other filling ingredients.
Is this a good way to use summer produce?
Absolutely, it's designed to transform humble summer squash and zucchini into a flavorful meal.
What is the origin of this recipe?
It originated from a memorable meal the author shared during their teenage years.
Can I use fresh breadcrumbs instead of dry?
The recipe calls for dry breadcrumbs, which usually provide a better texture for stuffing, but fresh could be used in a pinch.