Quinoa Zucchini Boats are oven baked delight with Shiitake Mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes. They are served with creamy pesto and perfect for lunch or dinner. Super healthy and easy to make!
Spring just arrived and Easter is around the corner. Even though here in Canada is still pretty cold, I am excited that winter is finally over! The freshness of these Quinoa Zucchini Boats reminds me of spring, although you can make them at summertime as well. They are not only tasty they make delightful presentation as well. However, let us not forget about their high nutritional value to important for our health. If you are familiar with my blog, you know I am not only creating flavorful vegan recipes, but also healthy as much as possible. For more information, please check the Nutrition details in the recipe card. Staying away from foods with empty calories and bad carbs is the key weather you vegan or not. If you like, you can read more about that in this article: The good and bad of carbohydrates.
Making this recipe is super easy and quick and it doesn’t require any special skills. I personally make them quite often although, I do not always use quinoa. Sometimes I make the filling with Organic Buckwheat Kasha or Wild Rice Blend. You can try that as well, if you like. Speaking of buckwheat, I have another yummy recipe that may appeal to you, the Holiday Stuffed Peppers. Not to forget zucchini recipe, which is my ultimate favorite, the Zucchini Fritters. Highly recommend!
I hope you try these amazing Quinoa Zucchini Boats and let me know if you liked it. Also it would be truly kind of you if you leave a comment and star rating. Thank you for visiting and I wish you a wonderful week.
QUINOA ZUCCHINI BOATS
Equipment
- Blender
- casserole dish
- spoon
- Knife
- brush
Ingredients
- 2 zucchinis
- 1 cup of quinoa follow the cooking instructions on the package
- 120 gr shiitake mushrooms or 4oz sliced
- 120 gr sundried tomatoes or 4oz diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 6 fresh basil leaves diced
- black pepper to taste
- garlic powder to taste
- gried chili peppers to taste
- Himalayan pink salt to taste
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- PESTO
- 2 cups arugula
- 1 cups fresh basil leaves
- 1 avocado small or ½ large
- 1/2 lemon only juice
- ¼ cup pine nuts or walnuts
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- garlic powder to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Himalayan pink salt to taste
- ¼ cup of water you may add few drops more if needed
- Blend all in a blender until smooth.
Instructions
- Wash and cut the ends of each zucchini.
- Cut them lengthwise and carefully remove the inside flesh of each piece using spoon.
- Dice the inner flesh and set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 375F, 200C°.
- Place the zucchini halves into a casserole dish with ½ cup of water.
- Brush them lightly with oil, add salt with garlic powder and bake for 15min; broil for another 2 – 3 minutes until golden brown.
- In the meantime, sauté shiitake mushrooms with salt and pepper and set aside.
- Sauté also, but separately the zucchini flesh with garlic, salt and chili flakes.
- I a bowl, mix quinoa, shiitake, sun dried tomatoes and basil. Toss well and adjust the taste.
- Fill your zucchini shells and serve with pesto.
Very refreshing recipe 👍
Many thanks Nandita!