Tex-Mex Zucchini Boats are tasty veggie snacks that will please even the pickiest eaters. If you are into a light and low-carb meal, then these are great alternatives especially for tacos or enchiladas lovers! These easy-to-make, grab-and-go healthy snacks are ideal for game days, movie nights, and picnics.
No one can deny that zucchini is one of the most versatile vegetables out there. You can grill it as a side dish for your protein, use it to make crispy fried fritters, or make noodles out of it. I can think of a zillion ways to prepare it, yet I'm still amazed at how much flavor it can provide to a dish. (Check out our roundup of our favorite zucchini recipes!) This green summer squash is ideal for mixing with other ingredients or in simple dishes that accentuate the flavor of fresh herbs especially now that they are in season. Making these Zucchini boats loaded with a spiced filling made of zucchini, tofu, and corn is so much fun. There are different ways and variations of zucchini boats. So, this dish will be an addition to the list of zesty and vibrant recipes that you and your family can absolutely enjoy anytime.
We need to prepare the zucchini boats before cooking the filling. First, we have to choose the best zucchini that we can find. Small to medium-sized zucchini is ideal (no longer than 6 to 8 inches). They should be firm with no cuts or nicks. Fresh zucchini will have little hairs on it.
Making the boats is a piece of cake! For this dish, you need 2 medium zucchini. Trim the stem end of your zucchini before cooking. To do this, I use a knife to gently round the end of the zucchini and remove the stem. Afterward, cut each zucchini in half, lengthwise. Hollow out the zucchini with a measuring spoon (teaspoon) or melon baller, creating a boat. Set aside the zucchini flesh until the rest of the ingredients are ready.
Although this recipe for Tex Mex Zucchini Boats appears to have many ingredients, all of them are simply vegetables or seasonings plus tofu. Thus the preparation is quick and easy as well as it will only require a very short cooking time. A budget and pantry-friendly dish!
You will adore the simple way to cook this Tex Mex Zucchini Boat dish. Here are the steps:
Yes, these can be prepared up to two days ahead of time. Separately, keep the filling in an airtight container, if possible. So, all you have to do is prepare the zucchini boats in a baking dish and scoop the filling, and they are ready to bake.
Storing the zucchini boats in the refrigerator can last 3 to 4 days. Use airtight containers or plastic bags.
On the other hand, freezing the zucchini boats, might not be a good idea. When frozen and reheated, it becomes mushy. However, if you can't prevent it, cooking these will take a little longer because they'll be cold. Simply keep an eye on them and test with a fork to see if they've softened.
There's no need to throw away the remaining zucchini. We can make the extra zucchini in five different recipes.
Photos by Alfonso Revilla
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