Zucchini Boats With Ricotta And Basil Recipes

RICOTTA STUFFED ZUCCHINI RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400f and set rack in middle. Cut 4 medium zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out the interior seeds with a spoon. Season the interior of the zucchini with a total of 1 tsp kosher salt and a 1/2 tsp of pepper. Drizzle oil onto each one and bake the zucchini in a sheet pan for 20-25 minutes until fork tender.
• Chop a 1/4 cup fresh parsley and mince 2 garlic cloves. Grate a 1/2 cup of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese or use good quality grated cheese. Slice 1 lemon into rounds.
• In a pan over meat heat saute the garlic in a 1/4 cup of olive oil until lightly golden. Set aside the garlic and oil mixture.
• In a large bowl mix the 2 cups ricotta, 1/2 cup Parmigiano Reggiano, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, juice of 1 lemon, 1/4 cup parsley and the garlic/oil mixture.
• Let the zucchini boats cool for a few minutes after baking then stuff with the ricotta mixture. Sprinkle a touch of breadcrumbs onto each and arrange the sliced lemons in the pan. Broil the zucchini boats for 5-7 minutes on the middle rack until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Serve with extra grated cheese and lemon wedges. Enjoy!

ZUCCHINI WITH RICOTTA-BASIL MOUSSE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Cut each zucchini in half lengthwise; scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/4-inch-thick shell. Reserve pulp for another use. Arrange zucchini shells in a single layer in a 13 by 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
• Combine basil and next 7 ingredients (through pepper), stirring well with a whisk. Divide mixture evenly among shells, pressing gently. Bake at 450 degrees for 20 minutes or until zucchini is tender. Garnish with parsley, if desired.

SUMMER PASTA WITH ZUCCHINI, RICOTTA AND BASIL

Steps:

• Put a pot of water on to boil. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the onions in 3 tablespoons olive oil until softened, 5 to 8 minutes. Reduce heat as necessary to keep onions from browning. Add zucchini, season generously with salt and pepper, and continue cooking, stirring occasionally until rather soft, about 10 minutes. Turn off heat.
• Meanwhile, use a mortar and pestle to pound garlic, basil and a little salt into a rough paste (or use a mini food processor). Stir in 3 tablespoons olive oil.
• Salt the pasta water well and put in the pasta, stirring. Boil per package instructions but make sure to keep pasta quite al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup of cooking water.
• Add cooked pasta to zucchini in skillet and turn heat to medium-high. Add 1/2 cup cooking water, then the ricotta, crushed red pepper and lemon zest, stirring to distribute. Check seasoning and adjust. Cook for 1 minute more. Mixture should look creamy. Add a little more pasta water if necessary. Add the basil paste and half the grated cheese and quickly stir to incorporate. Spoon pasta into warm soup plates and sprinkle with additional cheese. Serve immediately.

ZUCCHINI BOATS WITH PARMESAN CRUMBLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with a silpat or or aluminum foil.
• Mix together the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic, and black pepper in a small bowl. Pour in the melted butter and mix with a fork until evenly mixed throughout. Allow to sit for 5 minutes to absorb the butter.
• Trim the root end off the zucchini. Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise. With a tablespoon, scoop out the center of each half to remove the seeds. You should end up with a well in the center if each. Place the scooped zucchini halves, cut side up, on the baking sheet.
• Fill the center of each well with the crumble mixture, packing down and covering the top of each zucchini half. Sprinkle some extra parmesan cheese on top and drizzle with olive oil.
• Bake for 35 - 45 minutes in the hot oven until the crust is golden brown and crispy and the zucchini halves are fork tender.
• Slice each half in 4 pieces and serve warm. Spoon any fallen crumble on top for extra crunch.

RICOTTA STUFFED ZUCCHINI BOATS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Trim ends of zucchini halves, and scoop out seeds and pulp, leaving about 1/2 inch pulp on skins. In a large saucepan, steam zucchini halves in a vegetable steamer over boiling water for about 5 minutes, until tender but firm. Drain, and immediately plunge into a large bowl filled with enough ice water to cover. Allow to cool completely; drain.
• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Slowly cook and stir onion and garlic until onion is soft. Stir in spinach, and cook about 1 minute, until wilted.
• Transfer spinach mixture to a medium bowl, and mix in ricotta cheese, eggs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, basil, oregano and pepper. Stuff zucchini halves with even amounts of the mixture, and arrange in a large baking dish. Drizzle with remaining butter.
• Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, until the stuffing is hot and bubbly. Heat tomato sauce in a small saucepan, and spoon over the zucchini half way through baking.

RICOTTA STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Grease a baking sheet.
• Scoop out the seeds of each zucchini half with a spoon. Season the hollowed-out halves with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper.
• Mix together the ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper in a bowl. Divide cheese mixture between four zucchini halves. Arrange stuffed zucchini on greased baking sheet.
• Bake in preheated oven until zucchini is tender and filling is beginning to brown, 15 to 20 minutes.

ZUCCHINI CARPACCIO WITH BASIL AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• Rinse zucchini and cut off ends. Cut with the mandoline, or sharp knife, into 1/4 inch slices.
• Place zucchini slices on a baking sheet, brush with a little oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake in preheated oven at 425°F on the middle rack 8 minutes. Remove and let cool.
• Drain the sun-dried tomatoes. Finely chop the olives. Rinse basil, shake dry, pluck leaves and chop finely. Chop the drained sun-dried tomatoes very finely.
• Mix tomatoes, olives, basil and ricotta in a bowl with salt, pepper and a little crumbled chile pepper to taste.
• Toast pine nuts in a dry frying pan. Trim arugula, rinse and spin dry.
• Place zucchini slices on plate. Scoop portions of the ricotta mixture with 2 moistened tablespoons and add to the zucchini on the plate. Garnish with pine nuts and arugula.

ZUCCHINI BOATS WITH RICOTTA AND BASIL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
• Cut each zucchini in half lengthwise, scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/4 inch thick shell.
• Reserve pulp for another use.
• Arrange zucchini shells single layer in a 13 x 9 inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
• Combine basil and next 7 ingredients, stirring well with a whisk.
• Divide mixture evenly among shells, pressing gently.
• Bake at 450 degrees for 20 minutes or until zucchini is tender.