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Zucchini Popper Boats

All the ingredients of a jalapeno popper but baked inside of a scooped out zucchini. Wonderful for lunch, as a side dish, or appetizer.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Appetizer, Lunch, Party Food, Side Dish, Snack, Vegetables
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 1-4 zucchini 1 large or 3-4 regular sized
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt we use sea salt for this
  • 8 oz cream cheese at room temperature
  • 1 cup medium or sharp cheddar, shredded
  • 1 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled.
  • 2 jalapenos
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375℉. Wash the zucchini. Cut off the ends, then slice down lengthwise, cutting the zucchini in half.
  • If you are using a large zucchini from the garden, that has softer flesh in the center with large seeds, it is easier to scrape out the center with a spoon. If you are using smaller zucchini, that have not seeded in the center, do the next step first, before scooping out.
  • Place the zucchini on a baking sheet, raw side facing up. Drizzle or brush the olive oil over the flat sides of the zucchini. Sprinkle the salt evenly over the zucchini.
  • Bake the zucchini for 10 minutes. Keep the oven on when finished, for more baking later.
  • While those are baking, cook and crumble the bacon, if it's not already done. Combine the softened cream cheese, bacon, cheddar and jalapenos.
  • Remove the zucchini from the oven. If they have not been scooped out yet, then do so now. Leave at least a ½ inch of flesh.
  • Use a spoon to spread out the cheese filling inside of the hollowed out part of each zucchini piece. Sprinkle a little more shredded cheddar over the top if you wish.
  • Put the stuffed zucchini back in the oven for 15-20 minutes. If the zucchini is large and thicker, than you will want to bake them 20 minutes. The smaller zucchini can be baked at 15 minutes or until fork tender.
  • Cut into slices on a cutting board and place on a large plate for serving.
Keyword appetizer, party food, snack, vegetables, zucchini