Zucchini stuffed with couscous and cheese

Stuffed Zucchini with Couscous and Cheese - A Delicious and Healthy Recipe

If you are looking for a simple, tasty, and meatless recipe, stuffed zucchini with couscous and cheese is the perfect choice. These stuffed zucchinis are not only a feast for your taste buds but also an excellent way to bring a touch of freshness and color to your table. Get ready to fall in love with this easy-to-make recipe, full of flavors and textures!

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 35 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 5 minutes
Number of servings: 4

Ingredients needed:

- 3 zucchinis (approximately 1.2 kg)
- 1 cup of couscous
- 1 1/2 cups of vegetable broth (carrot, onion)
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 200 g grated cheese (you can choose a more mature cheese for a more intense flavor)
- 100 g butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 150 ml tomato paste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish

Step by step:

1. Preparing the zucchinis: Start by washing the zucchinis well under cold running water. Carefully cut off the top of each zucchini and scoop them out with a sharp knife. Use a teaspoon to remove the pulp, being careful not to break the walls of the zucchini. Season the inside with salt and pepper to add extra flavor.

2. Cooking the zucchini pulp: The scooped pulp should be finely chopped and sautéed in a pan with 3 tablespoons of olive oil and 3 crushed garlic cloves. Cook the mixture over medium heat for about 6-7 minutes until the zucchini becomes soft and starts to caramelize slightly.

3. Preparing the couscous: In a pot, bring 1 1/2 cups of vegetable broth (which can be made from carrot and onion or you can use a Knorr broth cube) to a boil. Once the broth is boiling, remove it from heat and add the couscous and 100 g of butter. Cover the pot and let the couscous absorb the liquid for 10 minutes.

4. Mixing the ingredients: After the couscous has fluffed up, gently fluff it with a fork. Add the sautéed zucchini pulp and 150 g of grated cheese. Mix all the ingredients well to obtain a homogeneous composition.

5. Stuffing the zucchinis: Fill each zucchini with the couscous mixture, being careful not to overfill them so they don’t break. Sprinkle a thin layer of grated cheese on top of each filling for a delicious crust.

6. Baking: Place the stuffed zucchinis in a baking dish. Mix the tomato paste with a little water and pour the mixture over the zucchinis. Cover the dish with a lid or aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 20 minutes. After this interval, remove the lid and let the zucchinis bake for another 15 minutes to brown nicely.

7. Serving: Once the zucchinis are ready, take them out of the oven and let them cool slightly. Serve them warm, sprinkled with freshly chopped parsley for a touch of freshness.

Useful tips:

- If you want an even more intense flavor, you can add spices like paprika or cumin to the filling mixture.
- The stuffed zucchinis can be prepared in advance and reheated before serving, making them ideal for family meals or parties.
- You can experiment with other ingredients, adding olives, chopped red bell pepper, or even feta cheese to the filling mixture for a different flavor.

Nutritional benefits:

This recipe is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, providing excellent nutritional value due to the zucchinis, carrots, and cheese. Zucchinis are low in calories but high in water, making them ideal for a healthy diet. Couscous brings complex carbohydrates, providing long-lasting energy.

Frequently asked questions:

1. Can I replace couscous with another type of grain?
Yes, you can use quinoa or rice, but the cooking time will vary.

2. What type of cheese is the most suitable?
A mature cheese offers a more intense flavor, but you can also use fresh cheese for a softer texture.

3. Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes, replace the butter with olive oil and the cheese with a vegan alternative.

Serving suggestion:

These stuffed zucchinis pair perfectly with an arugula salad or a yogurt sauce with mint, adding a refreshing touch.

Enjoy this delicious and healthy recipe for stuffed zucchini with couscous and cheese, and your meals will become a true celebration of flavors!