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Do you know how long it takes to bake Zucchini Boats? this is one of the questions our readers ask a lot. Well, we´ve got you covered. Zucchini boats are a great dish to serve when looking for something delicious yet healthy. Generally, you need around 40 minutes to an hour to bake zucchini boats, depending on the size of the zucchini and how full they are with the stuffing, but they can also be cooked in the microwave in just a few minutes. This dish is normally served as the main entree and is best accompanied by some steamed vegetables or a fresh side salad. Baking Zucchini Boats (The Basics) To prepare zucchini boats, you'll need some zucchini cut lengthwise, your choice of ground meat (or an alternative such as tofu for vegetarians), tomato sauce, and herbs like basil or oregano for seasoning. Nutritional values vary based on ingredients chosen but typically one boat contains fewer than 100 calories per serving; making this not only a tasty meal option but also a low-calorie one! When prepping and baking zucchini boats it's important to remove seeds from each half or otherwise juices will spill out while cooking due to expansion and make it quite soggy when served. Finally, if cooking in batches, reduce oven time accordingly or you risk burning them and ruining the entire meal. Zucchini Boat Nutritional Facts One of the best ways to eat your vegetables is by incorporating them into your meals in creative ways. A great way to do this is by making zucchini boats! Zucchini boats are a fun and delicious way to get your recommended serving of veggies, and they're easy to make too. What are Zucchini Boats? A zucchini boat is simply a zucchini that has been hollowed out and filled with a variety of ingredients. The options for what you can put in your zucchini boat are endless, but some popular choices include ground meat, cheese, rice, quinoa, and veggies. Once you've decided on your filling, all you need to do is scoop out the inside of the zucchini so that you have a "boat" shape, then fill it up and bake it in the oven. Easy, right? What are the Nutritional Benefits of Zucchini Boats? Zucchini is a great source of vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, manganese, and potassium. It's also low in calories and high in fiber, which makes it a great vegetable to incorporate into your diet if you're looking to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. When you add other healthy ingredients into your zucchini boat like lean protein, complex carbs, and vegetables, you're getting an even healthier meal that's loaded with nutrients. How to Serve Zucchini Boats It's zucchini season, which means it's time to get creative with this versatile vegetable! One of our favorite ways to enjoy zucchini is in boat form. Stuffed with your favorite toppings and baked to perfection, these boats make for a delicious and healthy meal that the whole family will love. Step 1: Cut the zucchinis in half length-wise and scoop out the insides, being careful not to puncture the skin. This step can be done with a spoon or a melon baller. Step 2: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Step 3: In a mixing bowl, combine the zucchini pulp, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, chopped onions, and Italian seasoning. Mix until all of the ingredients are evenly distributed. Step 4: Spoon the mixture into each zucchini half, filling it up as much as possible. You may have some leftover mixture--that's okay! This can be served on the side or saved for another use. Step 5: Place the zucchini boats onto a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Serve immediately. Read also >> How Long to Roast Garlic at 350°F? (Do This Instead) Read also >> How Long To Bake Chicken Thighs at 400 (Complete Guide) Zucchini Boat Ingredients If you're looking for a delicious, yet healthy meal option, look no further than zucchini boats! Zucchini boats are a veggie-packed dish that is perfect for any time of day. Best of all, they're easy to make and only require a few simple ingredients. 1. Zucchini: Obviously, you'll need some zucchini to make your zucchini boats. When choosing zucchini, look for ones that are dark green in color and have smooth skin. Avoid zucchinis that are soft or have blemishes on the skin. 2. Cheese: Cheese is a key ingredient in most zucchini boat recipes. It helps to give the dish a bit of creaminess and prevents the zucchini from drying out. Be sure to shredded your cheese ahead of time so that it's ready to go when you need it. 3. Tomatoes: diced tomatoes are a common ingredient in zucchini boats. They add a bit of sweetness and acidity to the dish that compliments the other flavors perfectly. 4. Garlic: Garlic is another key ingredient in zucchini boats. It helps to give the dish a bit of depth and complexity. Be sure to mince your garlic cloves ahead of time so that they're ready to go when you need them. 5. Onion: like garlic, onions also help to give the dish some depth of flavor. Choose a white or yellow onion for this recipe so that the flavor isn't too overpowering. 6. Herbs: dried or fresh herbs can be used in zucchini boats. Common choices include oregano, basil, and thyme. Feel free to experiment and use whatever herbs you have on hand. 7. Olive oil: olive oil is used to cook the zucchini boats in the oven. Be sure to use extra virgin olive oil so that the flavor isn't too strong. 8 Salt & pepper: last but not least, you'll need some salt and pepper to season your zucchini boats before serving them up hot out of the oven! Read also >> How Long to Roast Garlic at 350°F? (Do This Instead) Best Tips For Great Zucchini Boats Choose the right zucchini. You'll want to look for zucchinis that are about 6-8 inches long and 2-3 inches in diameter. These will be the perfect size for stuffed zucchini boats. If your zucchinis are too big, they will be difficult to stuff and eat. If they are too small, they will cook too quickly and may fall apart when you try to stuff them. Zucchinis with smooth, shiny skin will be the best for stuffed zucchini boats because they will hold their shape better during cooking. Avoid zucchinis with dull skin or bruises, as these may indicate that the zucchini is overripe and will not hold up as well during cooking. Prepare the zucchini boats correctly. Start by cutting the zucchinis in half lengthwise. Using a spoon (or your fingers), scoop out the flesh of the zucchini, being careful not to puncture the skin. Create a little "boat" shape with the scooped-out flesh, being careful not to make the sides too thin (or they will tear during cooking). Season the inside of the zucchini boats with a little salt and pepper. This will help to bring out their flavor. Stuff them with your favorite toppings! Once you have prepared your zucchini boats, it's time to get creative with your toppings. You can stuff them with just about anything you like! Here are some of our favorite ideas: - Sausage, peppers, and onions-Ground beef or turkey with tomato sauce and cheese-Chicken, bacon, and ranch dressing-Shrimp scampi-Vegetarian chili The possibilities are endless! Just use your imagination and come up with a combination that sounds good to you. Bake them until tender. Once you have stuffed your zucchini boats, it's time to bake them! Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and place the zucchini boats on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper (this will help to prevent sticking). Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until tender. Serve hot! How to Bake Zucchini Boats FAQs How do you keep zucchini from getting soggy in the oven? When cooking with zucchini in the oven, reducing time and temperature as much as possible is key. As long as the bake isn’t too hot or lengthy, the zucchini should remain firm and lightly crisped. Preheating the oven at 400–450°F (204–232°C) for fifteen minutes should suffice. Along with baking at a lower temperature, coating the zucchini slices in a mixture of oil and salt helps create a crunchy crust that prevents anything underneath from getting soggy. It also adds great flavor! Once sliced, transfer them to an ungreased baking sheet and brush each side with oil before adding your desired seasonings for an extra-tasty end result. Bake for 20-25 minutes until tender but not overcooked, flipping once during baking to ensure even cooking. Use an oven mitt to remove them promptly to prevent over-baking that can lead to sogginess. Enjoy! Do you eat the skin of zucchini boats? Eating the skin of zucchini boats can be a pleasant and unique experience! Whether you are looking for a savory snack or something to accompany a delicious dinner, this is an excellent way to get creative in the kitchen. The skin of zucchini boats is edible and provides numerous health benefits, like essential dietary fiber that helps maintain healthy digestion. Most recipes recommend lightly brushing olive oil on the outside of each boat before roasting them in the oven, which helps make the skin crispy and gives your dishes an added layer of flavor. If you are looking to add some new exciting flavors to your meal, eating the skin of zucchini boats is definitely worth giving a try! Conclusion When seeking for tasty and nutritious food to serve, zucchini boats are a terrific option. Depending on the size of the zucchinis and how much filling you use, baking time can range from 40 minutes to an hour; however, they can also be prepared in the microwave in a matter of minutes. Serve this recipe as a main course with steamed veggies and a green salad on the side. References https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/zucchini-boats/