Best 2 Zucchini And Shells Recipes

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Zucchini and shells, a delightful combination of flavors and textures, make for a delicious and versatile dish. Whether you prefer a hearty pasta bake, a refreshing summer salad, or a crispy appetizer, there's a recipe out there to satisfy your cravings. With a wide range of cooking techniques and ingredient options, the possibilities are endless. So let's embark on a culinary journey and discover the best zucchini and shells recipes that will tantalize your taste buds.

Let's cook with our recipes!

ZUCCHINI TACO SHELLS WITH BEEF AND ZUCCHINI-TOMATO SALSA



Zucchini Taco Shells with Beef and Zucchini-Tomato Salsa image

Provided by Nikki Dinki, Food Network Star Season 9 Finalist

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h20m

Yield 8 small tacos

Number Of Ingredients 25

4 medium zucchini (about 1/2 pound each)
Nonstick cooking spray, for spraying the parchment
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 2 ounces)
1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 eggs
3/4 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh basil leaves
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh mint leaves
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 medium zucchini, finely chopped
Juice of 1/2 lime
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 pound ground beef
1 shallot, finely chopped
1 serrano chile, seeds and ribs removed, finely chopped (about 2 teaspoons)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 to 2 ears corn, husked and kernels removed (about 1 1/2 cups kernels)
1/2 teaspoon ancho chile powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
One 15-ounce can refried beans, warmed
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Steps:

  • For the zucchini taco shells: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
  • Grate the zucchini with a box grater or the shredder attachment on a food processor; after doing so, you should have about 4 cups. Place the zucchini in a large microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high, stirring after 3 1/2 minutes, until tender and liquid has collected in the bottom of the bowl, about 7 minutes. Set the zucchini aside until it is cool enough to handle.
  • Once cool, use a slotted spoon (or your hands) to transfer it to a kitchen towel or piece of cheesecloth; roll up the cloth and twist and squeeze out as much liquid as you can. Squeeze hard to get out all the excess water; this is crucial to getting good taco shells. You should end up with about 2 cups of shredded cooked zucchini.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray it with cooking oil to help prevent sticking. Add the zucchini, Parmesan, scallions, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt and eggs to a medium bowl; stir until blended into a dough. Scoop this mixture into 1/4-cup-size balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Use your hand to flatten each ball into a very thin 5-inch diameter round, about 1/8 inch thick. Bake the shells until they are brown around the edges, about 15 minutes. Let them cool and then remove them from the parchment.
  • For the zucchini-tomato salsa: Add the tomatoes, basil, mint, salt, zucchini and lime juice to a medium bowl and toss together.
  • For the taco filling and fixings: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, shallot, serrano and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and cook this mixture until the beef is done through and the veggies are tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the corn kernels, ancho chile powder, cumin, 1/4 cup water and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook this mixture for 3 minutes more, adding more water if needed to thin the taco filling out.
  • Spread about 1/4 cup of the refried beans onto each zucchini taco shell. Place 1/4 cup of the beef filling onto each, then top with 1 heaping tablespoon of the zucchini tomato salsa and 1 heaping teaspoon of the feta. Fold up and enjoy!

ZUCCHINI AND SHELLS



Zucchini and Shells image

Family favorite to use that beautiful summer zucchini! Very simple recipe that tastes great accompanied by garlic bread! Very good for vegetarians, too.

Provided by FABA1228

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 1h15m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 12

¼ cup olive oil
½ medium onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 large zucchini, peeled and cubed
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
2 cups water
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
½ cup white sugar
1 (8 ounce) package uncooked pasta shells
¼ cup grated Romano cheese

Steps:

  • Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the onion and garlic, and cook until tender. Mix in zucchini and coat in the olive oil. Pour in tomato sauce and water. Season with oregano, basil, and red pepper. Dissolve sugar in the sauce. Reduce heat to low, and simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
  • In a large bowl, mix sauce and cooked past shells. Top with cheese to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 515.2 calories, Carbohydrate 79.3 g, Cholesterol 7.7 mg, Fat 17.2 g, Fiber 5.4 g, Protein 13.3 g, SaturatedFat 3.5 g, Sodium 650.3 mg, Sugar 32 g

Tips:

  • Choose the right zucchini: Look for zucchini that are firm and have a deep green color. Avoid zucchini that are soft or have blemishes.
  • Prepare the zucchini properly: Wash the zucchini thoroughly and trim off the ends. Cut the zucchini into 1/2-inch thick slices.
  • Use a large skillet: A large skillet will help to ensure that the zucchini cooks evenly.
  • Don't overcrowd the skillet: If you overcrowd the skillet, the zucchini will not cook evenly.
  • Cook the zucchini over medium heat: Medium heat will help to prevent the zucchini from burning.
  • Stir the zucchini frequently: Stirring the zucchini frequently will help to prevent it from sticking to the skillet.
  • Season the zucchini to your liking: You can season the zucchini with salt, pepper, garlic powder, or any other spices that you like.
  • Serve the zucchini immediately: Zucchini is best served immediately after it is cooked.

Conclusion:

Zucchini is a versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is a good source of vitamins and minerals, and it is also low in calories. Whether you are looking for a simple side dish or a main course, there is a zucchini recipe out there for you. So next time you are looking for a healthy and delicious way to enjoy zucchini, give one of these recipes a try!

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