Turkey Zucchini Boats
Healthy, colorful and delicious, these Turkey Zucchini Boats are an amazing way to use up your leftover turkey.
Ingredients
- 3 medium zucchinis, washed, ends cut and halved lengthwise
- 1 tbsp. olive oil tips & tricks
- 1/3 cup onions, chopped
- 1/4 cup celery, chopped tips & tricks
- 1/2 cup red peppers, chopped
- 1 cup button mushrooms, chopped
- 2 large cloves garlic, pressed
- 2 cups cooked turkey, cubed see Recipe
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce see Recipe
- 1 tbsp. Italian seasoning tips & tricks
- 3/4 cup sharp white Cheddar cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup Panko® breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped tips & tricks
- 1/4 tsp. ground Himalayan sea salt, or to taste
- 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, or to taste (I always use mixed peppercorns)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 1/4 tsp. smoked paprika
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375ºF/190ºC and lightly grease a baking dish: set aside.
- Slice zucchinis in half lengthwise and scoop the flesh out with a melon baller, leaving about ¼-inch from the edges – reserve the flesh for other recipes. Place zucchini boats on the prepared baking dish; set aside.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add oil and when hot, add onions and celery; sauté for 3 minutes. Add red peppers and sauté for 2 minutes. Stir in mushrooms and cook for 4 minutes. Add garlic and quickly sauté for 1 minute. Add cooked turkey, Marinara sauce, Italian seasoning and sharp Cheddar cheese; stir until the ingredients are well blended.
- Remove from the heat and add breadcrumbs and parsley; stir well and taste and adjust if necessary.
- Evenly stuff the prepared zucchini half cavities. Sprinkle on Parmesan cheese to cover the filling and dust with smoked paprika.
- Wrap the dish with foil and transfer to the preheated oven; bake for 35 minutes.
- 25 minutes later, remove the foil and continue baking for the remaining 10 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and let it sit 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Yields 6 zucchini halves