Zucchini boats with ricotta cheese
I won’t lie and tell you that I eat healthy all the time… I only try. And I fail a lot. Sugar and carb cravings are strong on a daily basis, especially when I am tired. Being a full time working mom of two toddlers with a very irregular schedule means I am tired… ALL THE TIME… Cooking helps me relax and somewhat feel like I am not failing at everything in life. My kids were a disaster this morning, I think the humid overcast stormy weather affected them, but mommy being on barely 6 hours a night sleep all week didn’t help. Yet, I refused to eat crap for lunch, I can’t. Actually, I totally can but I don’t want to. So while my littlest one was having a nap, I made these zucchini boats. They are loosely based on various versions found on Pinterest (my new best friend for ideas in the kitchen). this version used what I has at home and ended up amazing!!!!! No carbs, yet, satisfying.
My food is never meant to be pretty. I cook for taste and have zero sense of design… I mean… -25% sense of design. I like to take pictures and somehow managed to make what I cook look fancy, but it’s not fancy, it’s just really good!
Ingredients
- 3 Zucchini (large and of equal size)
- 1 cup Ricotta Cheese
- 1 Egg
- 1/3 cup Fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1/2 cup Marinara sauce (homemade or store bought)
- 1 cup Gouda Cheese (shredded)
- Basil (for garnish)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Cut each zucchini in half lengthwise. With a spoon, remove the flesh to create "boats". Keep the flesh for another time.
- In a bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, egg, parsley, salt and pepper. Fill each zucchini half with a layer of the ricotta mixture. Top with a layer of marinara sauce. Finish off with some shredded Gouda. Do not salt at that point to keep the zucchini from rending too much water.
- Place your "boats", side by side in a baking dish. Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and cook for another 7 minutes or until cheese is golden and melted. Garnish with fresh basil. Salt and pepper can be added at that point depending on taste.