ZUCCHINI TACO SHELLS WITH BEEF AND ZUCCHINI-TOMATO SALSA

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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!

Nworie Prosper
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I love this recipe! The zucchini taco shells are a fun and healthy way to enjoy tacos. The beef and zucchini tomato salsa is also very flavorful. I will definitely be making this recipe again!


Dipika Dhami
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These zucchini taco shells were amazing! They were so easy to make and tasted so good. The zucchini shells were crispy and the beef and zucchini tomato salsa was flavorful. I will definitely be making these again!


Amanuel Shimelis
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These zucchini taco shells were a bit too soft for my liking, but the beef and zucchini tomato salsa was delicious. I would try cooking the shells for a bit longer next time.


Camei Earnest
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I love this recipe! It's a great way to use up zucchini from my garden. The zucchini taco shells are crispy and delicious, and the beef and zucchini tomato salsa is so flavorful. I will definitely be making this recipe again and again!


Md Humaun
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These zucchini taco shells were delicious! The zucchini shells were crispy and the beef and zucchini tomato salsa was flavorful. I would definitely recommend this recipe.


Gaming habib
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These zucchini taco shells were a bit too soft for my liking, but the beef and zucchini tomato salsa was delicious. I would try cooking the shells for a bit longer next time.


Jason Cuellar
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I love this recipe! The zucchini taco shells are a fun and healthy way to enjoy tacos. The beef and zucchini tomato salsa is also very flavorful. I will definitely be making this recipe again!


Sumiya I
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These zucchini taco shells were amazing! They were so easy to make and tasted so good. The zucchini shells were crispy and the beef and zucchini tomato salsa was flavorful. I will definitely be making these again!


Jizelle Mills
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These zucchini taco shells were a bit too soft for my liking, but the beef and zucchini tomato salsa was delicious. I would try cooking the shells for a bit longer next time.


Ilija Djordjevic
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I love this recipe! It's a great way to use up zucchini from my garden. The zucchini taco shells are crispy and delicious, and the beef and zucchini tomato salsa is so flavorful. I will definitely be making this recipe again and again!


Emily Gitu
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These zucchini taco shells were a fun and healthy way to enjoy tacos. The zucchini shells were easy to make and held up well. The beef and zucchini tomato salsa was also very flavorful. I would definitely recommend this recipe to others.


Dersby Malebe
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I tried this recipe and the zucchini shells were a bit too soft for my liking. I think I would try cooking them for a bit longer next time. The beef and zucchini tomato salsa was very good though!


Rihan Hossan
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These zucchini taco shells were delicious! The zucchini shells were crispy and the beef and zucchini tomato salsa was flavorful. I would definitely recommend this recipe.


Abdul Kuddus
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I love this recipe! The zucchini shells are a great healthy alternative to traditional taco shells. The beef and zucchini tomato salsa is also very fresh and flavorful. I will definitely be making this recipe again!


Aqsa Priencess
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These zucchini taco shells were a hit with my family! They were so easy to make and tasted delicious. The zucchini shells held up well and didn't get soggy. The beef and zucchini tomato salsa was also very flavorful. I will definitely be making these