Southwest Turkey Zucchini Boats

When the zucchini in the garden is overflowing, these Southwest Turkey Zucchini Boats are my go‑to. They come together quickly, taste amazing, and are easy to adapt — any ground meat or a vegetarian Beyond Meat option works, and pepper jack is a great swap for Monterey if you prefer a little kick of heat.

Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, scoop out the seeds and the soft center to create shallow “boats,” leaving about a ¼‑inch shell, so they hold their shape.

To help the zucchini boats sit flat, simply shave a thin strip off the bottom using a potato peeler so they rest evenly on the plate.

Place the zucchini shells in a microwave‑safe dish and microwave for 1–2 minutes in an 1100‑watt microwave, just until they’re crisp‑tender. Drain off any liquid and set aside.

Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add lean ground turkey, ground chicken, or a vegetarian substitute and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. If using ground beef, skip the olive oil and cook it directly in the skillet, draining excess fat if needed.

Once the meat is cooked and no longer pink, stir in 1 teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon ground cumin, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon black pepper until evenly combined.

Stir in 1 cup of your favorite salsa. I used my Taqueria‑Style Salsa recipe, but I also use and recommend HERDEZ Salsa Casera. Stir until combined.

Stir in 1/4 cup of plain breadcrumbs, then remove the skillet from the heat.

Lastly, stir in half of the shredded cheese and ¼ cup of cilantro until everything is combined.

Spoon the meat mixture into the zucchini boats, filling each one generously.

Top the zucchini boats with the remaining cheese and microwave for a couple of minutes, or just until the cheese is melted. Finish with chopped fresh cilantro and serve with extra salsa and sour cream.

Enjoy!

For more fresh from the garden recipes, check out these:

• Garden Fresh Bruschetta
• Slow-Cooker Shredded Beef Stuffed Poblano Peppers
• Southwest Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers
• Cucumber Burrata Salad
• Asian Cucumber Salad
• Sausage Stuffed Cherry Peppers
• Stuffed Giant Patty Pan Squash
• Unstuffed Anaheim Peppers Sausage Skillet