Zucchini take center stage, stuffed with spiced up black beans, red pepper and topped with cheddar.
Zucchini takes center stage, stuffed with spiced up black beans, red pepper and topped with cheddar.
Ingredients
- 4 medium zucchini, cut in half lengthwise
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup diced green onions
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 4 tablespoons prepared salsa
- 1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Pinch of salt and ground black pepper
- Dash of hot sauce (optional)
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Scoop the flesh out of the zucchini halves. Gently squeeze it to extract any excess liquid, then dice about a cup of the flesh to use for the filling.
- Cook the zucchini boats cut side down on an oiled sheet pan for 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven and turn the boats over.
- While zucchini is cooking, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Saute the red pepper, green onions and zucchini flesh for 3-5 minutes. Add the ground cumin, salsa, and black beans and cook another minute. Remove from heat and stir in the cheese, salt, pepper, and hot sauce if using.
- Evenly distribute the filling mixture between the zucchini boats. Return the filled boats to the oven and bake for 10-12 more minutes until cheese is melted.
Serving Suggestion
Add cooked lean ground turkey to the stuffing for a heartier dish, or serve with grilled fish, chicken or tofu for an end-of-summer supper.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 156, Fat: 8 g, Cholesterol: 15 mg, Sodium: 164 mg, Carbohydrate: 12 g, Dietary Fiber: 4 g, Protein: 9 g
