Vegan Stuffed Zucchini

Stuffed zucchini boats with bell pepper, chickpeas, and vegan cheese! This is a simple vegetarian weeknight dinner, side dish or entrée which contains healthy wholesome ingredients. The recipe is meat-free, plant-based, relatively low-carb, and easy to make! You can use your favorite veggies and sub chickpeas for other beans or lentils.

📝 Ingredients

• 2 medium zucchini
• 1/2 tbsp vegetable oil (or water, if oil-free)
• 1 small/medium onion (chopped)
• 2-3 cloves of garlic (minced)
• 1 small bell pepper (chopped)
• 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas ((one 15 oz can, drained and rinsed))
• 1 heaped tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp hot sauce (or more to taste)
• 4-6 tbsp plant-based milk
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• Sea salt, ground pepper, and chili powder (to taste)
• Fresh herbs (to garnish)
• 1 batch vegan cheese sauce (or 7 oz (200 g) store-bought vegan cheese)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Cut the zucchini in half (lengthwise) and scoop out about 2/3 of the flesh leaving a 1/2-inch (1 cm) thick border around the skin. Check the step-by-step photos above in the blog post.
2. 2Chop the scooped out zucchini with a large knife and set aside.
3. 3Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for about 4 minutes.
4. 4Add garlic, bell pepper, zucchini flesh, all spices, soy sauce, rice vinegar, tomato paste, hot sauce, and plant-based milk. Put a lid on the skillet and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. 5Meanwhile, prepare the vegan cheese sauce or use store-bought vegan cheese.
6. 6At the same time, preheat oven to 410 degrees Fahrenheit (210 degrees Celsius) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. 7Add chickpeas to the skillet and cook for a few more minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add more salt/pepper/spices to taste.
8. 8Stuff each zucchini half with the chickpea mixture.
9. 9Add vegan cheese on top and bake for 20-25 minutes in the oven. Garnish with fresh herbs and enjoy!