Pesto Stuffed Zucchini Recipes

PARMESAN PESTO ZUCCHINI STICKS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Arrange two racks evenly spaced in the oven. Line two sheet pans with parchment paper.
• Cut each zucchini in quarters lengthwise through the stem and then cut each quarter again in thirds lengthwise, making long skinny spears. In a medium shallow bowl, whisk together the pesto and 4 tablespoons of the olive oil and set aside. Place the parsley and garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and process until they are finely minced. Add the panko, Parmesan, red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper plus the remaining 4 tablespoons olive oil. Pulse only until all the panko is moistened with oil. Pour the mixture onto a dinner plate.
• Dip the zucchini spears first into the pesto mixture, turning to coat completely, then place each one in the crumb mixture, pressing and turning to coat thickly. Arrange the sticks in rows on the prepared sheet pans.
• Roast for 20 to 30 minutes, until the zucchini is tender and the crumbs have crisped to a crunchy golden brown. Sprinkle lightly with flaked sea salt and serve hot.

ZUCCHINI WITH WALNUT PESTO

Steps:

• Heat a layer of olive oil in a skillet over medium high. When the oil begins to shimmer, add the zucchini in an even layer, avoiding overlapping in the skillet (you may need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding!). Season with salt and pepper. When the zucchini begins to brown on the bottom, about 5 minutes, flip over and allow to brown on the other side, about 4 minutes more. Remove from the skillet to the serving plate.
• Meanwhile, make the pesto. Add the walnuts, basil, mint, Parmesan, vinegar and a pinch of crushed red pepper to the carafe of a food processor. Pulse until the ingredients are combined but still chunky. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
• Drizzle the pesto on top of the zucchini. Top with additional Parmesan, fresh basil and crushed red pepper flakes and serve!

CHICKEN AND PESTO STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Clean zucchini. I cut ends off. Slice lengthwise. Remove seeds and create a boat. Set aside. Preheat oven to 375.
• Boil water and add spices. ( I do salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder to taste preferences.) When boiling add chicken and cook 20 minutes. (I did 30 minutes from frozen state) Remove from water and chop when cool.
• Chop mushrooms, onion, and bacon and set aside. Cook bacon (I didn't get it quite to crisp since it was going in the oven.) Remove bacon leaving drippings in the pan.
• Saute mushrooms and onion in the bacon drippings and when close to done add spoonful of pesto.
• Combine chicken, bacon and mushroom mixture and fill boats. If you have extra set aside for later.
• Top with cheese. I did a little at a time and added more every 10 minutes or so. Depends on how much cheese you want. Cook 30-40 minutes until you can insert fork into zucchini easily. 35 minutes and mine was not soggy and not to crisp.
• In a sauce pan prepare Knorr Pesto mix according to package. Bring to a boil reduce heat and add whipping cream to taste. I thicken with a little cornstarch. But totally up to you. I added leftover filling to mixture at this point and leave on low till zucchini comes out of the oven.
• Slice stuffed zucchini and top with sauce. Serve with garlic bread or toast to mop up your plate.

ZUCCHINI STUFFED WITH TOMATO, WHITE BEANS, AND PESTO

Steps:

• Scoop out the zucchini flesh, keeping about 1/4 inch of the flesh and the shells intact. Chop the pulp.
• Heat 1 tablespoons of the olive oil in a medium-size skillet over medium heat, add the shallots, garlic, and chopped zucchini, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and cook until the vegetables are tender; about 10 minutes. Stir in the tomato, beans, pine nuts, parsley, and basil, season to taste with salt and pepper, and mix well.
• Fill the zucchini shells with the stuffing mixture and place them in a lightly oiled 5 1/2 - 6 quart oval slow cooker. Drizzle the zucchini with the remaining 1 tablespoons oil. Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours, until the zucchini is tender.