Savory Italian-Style Stuffed Zucchini with Pine Nuts
Indulge in this hearty and nutritious Italian-Style Stuffed Zucchini, a delightful vegetarian and vegan dish perfect for any time of the year! With the captivating flavors of robust tomato sauce, aromatic dried herbs, and a gentle crunch from toasted pine nuts, this dish is as filling as it is flavorful. Wrapped in foil for the perfect balance of tenderness and structure, each zucchini half is a delightful vessel for a savory filling of brown rice and onions. Ideal for a cozy dinner for two, this recipe is a fantastic way to embrace fresh summer produce. Whether enjoyed alone or paired with a side salad and crusty bread, it brings the essence of Italian cuisine into your home. Plus, the filling can also be adapted for stuffed bell peppers, offering a versatile option for family meals!
2
Servings
200
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Zucchini or Summer Squash
1 medium (halved lengthwise, seeds removed)
Tomato Sauce
1 cup (none)
Red Wine Vinegar
1 tablespoon (none)
Onion
1 small (chopped)
Garlic
1 teaspoon (minced)
Brown Rice
1/4 cup (uncooked)
Dried Parsley
1 tablespoon (none)
Dried Basil
1 tablespoon (none)
Black Pepper
1/8 teaspoon (none)
Pine Nuts
2 tablespoons (toasted)
Fresh Parsley
to taste (for garnish (optional))
Fresh Basil
to taste (for garnish (optional))
Mozzarella Cheese
to taste (for garnish (optional))
Parmesan Cheese
to taste (for garnish (optional))
Instructions
1
Preheat your skillet over medium heat and add the pine nuts, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes until they are golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
2
Prepare your slow cooker by placing the halved zucchini at the bottom, cut side up.
3
In a small bowl, whisk together the tomato sauce and red wine vinegar until well combined.
4
In a separate bowl, mix together the chopped onion, minced garlic, uncooked brown rice, dried parsley, dried basil, black pepper, and 2 tablespoons of the tomato sauce-vinegar mixture until evenly blended.
5
Spoon the rice mixture into the hollowed zucchini halves, pressing gently to pack it down.
6
Pour the remaining tomato sauce-vinegar mixture over the stuffed zucchinis, ensuring they are well-coated.
7
Cover the slow cooker and set it to LOW. Cook for 4 to 6 hours, or until the rice is fully tender and the zucchini is soft.
8
Once cooked, remove the zucchinis carefully and garnish with toasted pine nuts, fresh parsley, fresh basil, and a sprinkle of mozzarella or Parmesan cheese if desired.
9
Serve warm for a perfect main dish, or alongside a fresh salad and crusty bread.
Nutrition Information
9g
Fat
28g
Carbs
5g
Protein
4g
Fiber
4g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main vegetable used in this recipe?
The main vegetable is one medium zucchini or summer squash, halved lengthwise with the seeds removed.
Is this stuffed zucchini recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this recipe is entirely vegetarian and can be made vegan by omitting the optional cheese garnish.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to serve 2 people.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 200 calories.
What type of rice should I use for the filling?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of uncooked brown rice.
Do I need to cook the brown rice before stuffing the zucchini?
No, the brown rice is added to the filling mixture uncooked and will cook inside the zucchini in the slow cooker.
How long does it take to cook in a slow cooker?
The stuffed zucchini should be cooked on the LOW setting for 4 to 6 hours.
What setting should I use on my crock pot?
You should set your slow cooker to the LOW heat setting.
How do I prepare the pine nuts?
Preheat a skillet over medium heat and stir the pine nuts occasionally for about 5 minutes until they are golden and fragrant.
What is in the sauce used for the zucchini?
The sauce is a simple whisked mixture of 1 cup of tomato sauce and 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar.
What spices and herbs are used in the filling?
The filling includes minced garlic, dried parsley, dried basil, and black pepper.
Can I substitute the zucchini with another vegetable?
Yes, you can use summer squash instead of zucchini, or use the filling for stuffed bell peppers.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, the ingredients listed, including brown rice and tomato sauce, are naturally gluten-free.
How much fat is in one serving?
There are 9 grams of fat per serving.
What is the fiber content of this dish?
This recipe provides 4 grams of fiber per serving.
How many grams of protein are in each serving?
There are 5 grams of protein per serving.
What are the total carbohydrates per serving?
Each serving contains 28 grams of carbohydrates.
What should I serve with Italian-Style Stuffed Zucchini?
It is recommended to serve this dish with a fresh side salad and crusty bread.
What are the optional garnishes for this recipe?
Optional garnishes include fresh parsley, fresh basil, and mozzarella or Parmesan cheese.
How do I prepare the zucchini for stuffing?
Halve the zucchini lengthwise and use a spoon to remove the seeds, creating a hollow space for the rice mixture.
How much garlic is required?
The recipe requires 1 teaspoon of minced garlic.
What size onion should I use?
A small onion, chopped, is sufficient for the filling.
How much tomato sauce is mixed into the filling?
You should mix 2 tablespoons of the tomato sauce and vinegar mixture into the rice filling before stuffing.
Does this recipe contain sugar?
There are 4 grams of sugar per serving, which primarily comes from the natural sugars in the vegetables and tomato sauce.
Is the zucchini cooked cut-side up or down?
The zucchini halves should be placed at the bottom of the slow cooker cut-side up.
How many total ingredients are needed?
There are 14 total ingredients listed, including the optional garnishes.
Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried in the filling?
The recipe specifies dried parsley and basil for the filling to withstand the long cooking time, but fresh herbs are used for garnish.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy, one-dish meal that is low in calories and high in nutrients.
How do I ensure the rice is tender?
The rice becomes tender by cooking in the slow cooker for the full 4 to 6 hours while absorbing the moisture from the tomato sauce and zucchini.
What makes this dish 'Italian-style'?
The use of tomato sauce, garlic, basil, parsley, and optional cheeses like mozzarella and Parmesan gives it a classic Italian flavor profile.