Savory Sausage-Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Delight your senses with these Savory Sausage-Stuffed Zucchini Boats, filled to the brim with a colorful medley of ingredients. Perfectly baked and golden, these hearty boats can be served as a delicious appetizer, a satisfying side dish, or even as a complete meal paired with a refreshing green salad. For vegetarian options, simply omit the sausage and replace the chicken stock with vegetable stock for an equally tasty dish. Each bite is a delightful combination of textures and flavors, making this healthy recipe a must-try for any occasion!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
22
Ingredients
Ingredients
zucchini
3 (sliced lengthwise, seeds removed, rubbed with olive oil, and seasoned with salt and pepper)
olive oil
to taste (for greasing and sautéing)
cooked crumbled sausage
1.5 cups (optional)
red pepper
1 (diced)
onion
1 (diced)
garlic cloves
3 (minced)
celery
1 stalk (chopped)
butternut squash or pumpkin
0.5 cup (very finely diced)
creamed corn
0.5 cup (canned or frozen)
golden raisins
0.25 cup (for sweetness)
cumin
1 teaspoon (for seasoning)
curry powder
1 teaspoon (for seasoning)
parsley
1 teaspoon (for seasoning)
basil
1 teaspoon (for seasoning)
salt
to taste (for seasoning)
pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
tomato sauce
1 cup (for the filling)
cooked bulgur wheat
1 cup (as the grain base)
grated parmesan cheese
0.25 cup (for topping)
pine nuts
0.5 cup (for topping)
white wine
0.5 cup (for added flavor)
chicken stock or vegetable stock
0.5 cup (for moisture)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Prepare a greased casserole dish and lay the zucchini halves cut side up, rubbing them with olive oil and seasoning with salt and pepper.
3
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Once heated, sauté the diced red peppers, onion, minced garlic, chopped celery, and diced butternut squash until they become translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
4
Stir in the optional cooked crumbled sausage, creamed corn, golden raisins, cumin, curry, parsley, basil, and add salt and pepper to taste. Mix well until all ingredients are combined and heated through.
5
Gently fold in the tomato sauce and cooked bulgur wheat, ensuring even distribution.
6
Mound the filling generously onto each zucchini half, then sprinkle grated parmesan cheese and pine nuts on top.
7
Carefully pour the white wine and chicken or vegetable stock into the bottom of the baking dish, being cautious not to disturb the zucchini boats.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender and the tops are golden brown.
9
Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Sausage-Stuffed Zucchini Boats?
They are zucchini halves filled with a savory mixture of sausage, vegetables, bulgur, and spices, baked until tender and golden.
What oven temperature is needed for this recipe?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking the zucchini boats.
How do I prepare the zucchini?
Slice the zucchini lengthwise, remove the seeds, rub with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, simply omit the sausage and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
What meat is used in the filling?
The recipe calls for 1.5 cups of cooked crumbled sausage.
Which vegetables are sautéed for the stuffing?
Red peppers, onion, garlic, celery, and butternut squash or pumpkin are sautéed together.
How long should I sauté the vegetables?
Sauté the vegetables for about 5-7 minutes until they become translucent.
What spices give the dish its flavor?
The dish is seasoned with cumin, curry powder, parsley, and basil.
What grain is used as the base for the filling?
One cup of cooked bulgur wheat is used as the grain base.
Does this recipe contain raisins?
Yes, 0.25 cup of golden raisins is added for a touch of sweetness.
What kind of cheese is used for the topping?
Grated parmesan cheese is sprinkled on top of the stuffed boats.
Are there nuts in this recipe?
Yes, 0.5 cup of pine nuts is used as a crunchy topping.
What liquids are poured into the baking dish?
A mixture of white wine and chicken or vegetable stock is poured into the bottom of the dish.
How long do the zucchini boats need to bake?
They should bake for approximately 30 minutes.
How do I know when the dish is done?
The zucchini should be tender and the tops should be golden brown.
Can I use pumpkin instead of butternut squash?
Yes, the recipe allows for either very finely diced butternut squash or pumpkin.
Is tomato sauce used in the filling?
Yes, one cup of tomato sauce is folded into the vegetable and grain mixture.
What type of corn should I use?
The recipe calls for 0.5 cup of canned or frozen creamed corn.
How many zucchini are needed?
The recipe requires 3 zucchini, which are sliced to make 6 boats.
Is this a healthy recipe?
Yes, it is described as a healthy recipe featuring a colorful medley of fresh ingredients.
Can I serve this as an appetizer?
Yes, these boats work perfectly as an appetizer, side dish, or main meal.
What should I serve with this dish?
It pairs well with a refreshing green salad.
Do I need to cook the bulgur before adding it?
Yes, the recipe specifies using one cup of already cooked bulgur wheat.
Can I serve these at room temperature?
Yes, they can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.
Is the sausage required?
No, the sausage is optional and can be omitted for a meat-free version.
How finely should I dice the squash?
The butternut squash or pumpkin should be very finely diced.
Is white wine necessary for the recipe?
The white wine is used for added flavor in the baking dish, but you can use extra stock if preferred.
Do I need to peel the zucchini?
No, the recipe does not require peeling; just slice them and remove the seeds.
What texture should the filling have?
The filling is a hearty and colorful combination of grains, meat, and vegetables.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
No, bulgur wheat contains gluten. To make it gluten-free, you would need to substitute the bulgur for a gluten-free grain.