These bright stuffed zucchini boats loaded with Mediterranean favorites like tomatoes, feta, and fresh herbs can be ready in 20 minutes or less!
Add this to the list of fun zucchini recipes to use up your summer zukes! Be sure to check out our tips and video below.
Stuffed zucchini for the modern cook = zucchini boats!
There’s a reason people go nuts for zucchini boats.
They are easy to make–no special “cheffy” skills needed–and they are the perfect carrier for whatever toppings or filling you like!
Classic stuffed zucchini boat recipes typically call for a heavy meat and cheese topping, but these vegetarian zucchini boats take on fresh Mediterranean flavors that will not disappoint.
Like our Greek stuffed onions, we make use of the entire vegetable, including the flesh; it goes right in the filling for the zucchini boats.
This is a simple recipe that takes 20 minutes or less! Here’s how…
How to make zucchini boats
1. Season and grill zucchini halves on both sides (a little brush of quality extra virgin olive oil is important here).
Tip: grill zucchini until tender and nicely charred, this brings out the delicious flavor!
3. Scoop out the flesh to hollow out the zucchini halves…or to create “boats” for the topping or filling (do not discard the tender charred flesh, it’s so tasty and we’ll use it later).
4. Make the filling. The possibilities for the filling here are endless here (see more examples below), but I kept my filling simple, leaning more towards fresh and vegetarian options.
To make it, combine the zucchini flesh with Mediterranean favorites like tomato, feta, green onions, and fresh herbs. I love using a couple different herbs here like mint and parsley. And if you like a little extra zest, then do as I have and add a squeeze of lemon juice.
5. Fill the zucchini boats with the stuffing and enjoy!
Stuffed zucchini boat variations
Wondering what else you can use for a topping or filling for these easy zucchini boats? Here are a few more ideas:
- Add more vegetarian items like a handful of baby spinach, olives, or marinated artichokes. And if you like things spicy, add a pinch of hot pepper flakes (Oooh or even a little harissa, which is not necessarily spicy but will add an interesting kick!)
- Give these vegetarian zucchini boats a little Italian flare by using baby mozzarella, fresh basil, and maybe a little cured meat like Prosciutto or salami.
- If you’re up for a little extra work, then make the meat and rice stuffing from this stuffed pepper recipe (it does make more than you need for 6 zucchini halves, but then you’ll have more rice to eat later. Or, make more zucchini boats!)
Ways to serve them
Mediterranean grilled zucchini boats are an obvious appetizer choice.
And here’s a fun tip! If you’re serving a larger crowd, you can cut the zucchini halves crosswise to create smaller “boats” that are much easier to pick up (no fork and knife needed.) A dollop of Tzatziki sauce on top doesn’t hurt a bit!
Or you can serve these grilled zucchini boats as a side next to things like: Chicken Meatballs; Pan-Seared Trout; Lemon Garlic Salmon; or Lamb Burgers.
Can you freeze zucchini boats?
If you have leftovers, store them in the fridge in a tight-lid glass container for 2 days or so. They’re great cold or at room temperature.
But I would not advise freezing zucchini boats. The grilled zucchini will be too mushy once thawed and the topping won’t be in the best shape either.
Is zucchini healthy?
If you’re searching for Mediterranean diet recipes or ingredients, zucchini will show up over and over. It’s a staple in Mediterranean cooking and regularly on my shopping list.
Zucchini, also known as courgette is a type of summer squash. It’s low in fat and carbohydrates, high in antioxidants and filled with vitamins and important nutrients like vitamin C, folate, and potassium.
For me, zucchini is essential in a hearty ratatouille and makes a great addition to a fun skillet dinner like this sauteed shrimp and zucchini. And I’ll often serve a simple baked zucchini as a side next to nearly any protein.
You may also like 50+Mediterranean Diet Recipes. Or check out the archives for all our recipes. And be sure to join my email list for FREE weekly meal plans and more!
Stuffed Zucchini Boats with Tomato and Feta
Ingredients
- 3 zucchini trimmed and sliced length-wise into halves
- extra virgin olive oil I used Early Harvest Greek EVOO
- Kosher salt and pepper to your liking
- Dried oregano large sprinkle to your liking
- 6 oz cherry tomatoes sliced in halves
- 3 green onions both white and green parts, ends trimmed, chopped
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese more to your liking
- 6 to 10 fresh mint leaves chopped
- Large handful fresh parsley chopped
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Splash lemon juice not too much
Instructions
- Heat a cast iron skillet or indoor griddle over medium heat. (OR, If cooking on gas grill, lightly oil the grate and preheat grill to medium-low).
- Brush zucchini generously with extra virgin olive oil on both sides. Season zucchini (particularly flesh side) with salt, freshly ground pepper, and oregano.
- Place zucchini, flesh-side down, on the preheated grill (or indoor griddle). Grill for 3 to 5 minutes until soft and nicely charred, then turn on back side and grill for another 3 to 5 minutes until this side is also tender and gains some color. (If using an indoor skillet or griddle, you may need to adjust heat to medium-high.)
- Remove zucchini from heat and let cool enough to handle.
- To create zucchini boats, use a small spoon to scoop out the flesh (do not discard). Squeeze all liquid out of zucchini flesh (you might use a linen kitchen towel or paper towel to do this.)
- Make the filling for the zucchini boats. Put the zucchini flesh in a mixing bowl and add the cherry tomatoes, green onions, feta, mint, parsley, lemon zest. Add a small splash of lemon juice and sprinkle a little more oregano. Drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil and mix everything together.
- Spoon the filling mixture into the prepared zucchini boats and arrange on a serving platter. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Cook’s Tips: You can cut the zucchini halves crosswise to create smaller “boats” that can be easily picked up by hand. This is ideal if you’re serving a larger crowd as an appetizer (yields 12 instead of 6).
- Cook’s Tip: Grill zucchini until tender and nicely charred – this brings out the delicious flavor!
- Cook’s Tip: A drizzle of Greek Tzatziki sauce really seals the deal on these zucchini boats. Find recipe for homemade Tzatziki here.
- Make Ahead Option: You can grill the zucchini ahead of time, then when ready to serve, follow recipe from step #5.
- Other Filling Options: You can change up the existing filling in this recipe by simply adding more vegetarian items like a handful baby spinach, olives, or marinated artichokes. Or turn this into Zucchini Boats Antipasti. Just give your filling a little Italian flare using baby mozzarella, fresh basil, and maybe a little cured meat like Prosciutto or salami.
- Visit The Mediterranean Dish Store for our Greek extra virgin olive oils and more! Our Early Harvest and Private Reserve extra virgin olive oils are both from organically grown and processed Koroneiki olives. And you’ll also find a selection of all-natural and organic spices for Mediterranean cooking. Try the Ultimate Mediterranean Spice Bundle, or create your own 6-pack of spices.
Nutrition
*This recipe/article has been republished with new information and media for readers’ benefit.
How incredible do these look!? Anything with the word Mediterranean in the title makes me so happy! These are my favourite flavours, and I adore zucchini!
Yay! You’ve come to the right place
Such a great summer recipe. It is a really good way to put all the zucchinis to good use.
Sure is! Thanks, Sam!
Can’t wait to use my summer veggies to make this!
Yay! Enjoy!
The zucchini was outstanding with bright colorful flavors. I loved the grilled zucchini. It was all going good till I made the tziki sauce. Well I love garlic but this may have been a little much. I will try again with less garlic. Fun recipe and super easy.
Thanks for giving this a try, Julie! Yes, Tzatziki does have a lot of garlic, good idea to start with less next time 🙂
The grilling adds such a flavorful note!
It really does, Erin! Thanks for giving this a try!
Such a beautiful, delicious side dish!! Can’t wait to make these again!
Awesome, Liz! These have become on the regular rotation over here too!
Oh yum!!! This sounds absolutely amazing!
Yay! So glad you like them!
This is so delicious! Oh my gosh! I could eat them all myself! Winner winner!
Thanks, Mary! This is an oldie-but-goodie recipe we love !
Super easy, super quick and absolutely delicious!
Yay, Lisa! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for your recipe! My husband had supper mostly ready when I got home tonight. He was going to cook some spaghetti and add some zucchini noodles that he’d julienned. My job was to flavour it… I adapted your recipe for the flavour. It was SO delicious! Can’t wait to try it the way you wrote it!
Awesome, Angela! Thanks for sharing!
This is absolutely amazing! Delicious! Thank you very much for a great recipe.
I made this tonight for dinner and it was one of the most delicious things I’ve eaten in a while. It’s so simple and uses stuff you have on hand which is awesome. Will defiantly be using this recipe over the summer when I can get zucchini from my garden! Thanks for the wonderful recipe.
Wonderful, Erin! Thanks for giving it a try!
This recipe is so easy and full of amazing flavors, I followed the recipe the first time. However, for second time I made it my husband asked me to make the zucchini into boats and to over stuff them with the toppings. I make this recipe at least once a week, my husband loves taking them for his lunch and this is a man who wouldn’t eat zucchini a couple of years ago.
Emilia!!! thank you! Your husband is on to something! I have actually since revised this recipe to make it into boats (carved out and all)…I’ll be sharing the revised version soon! Thanks so much!
Wow… that looks so delicious!
I have to try it as I have been looking for a replacement of the classic bruschetta for quite some time. I’m not that funned of bread:-)
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Anne! Awesome!! I hope you enjoy it.
I can never print your receipes. Why?
Hi George…I am sorry about that. I’ve looked into it, and things look fine on our end. There is a print or save buttons in the actual recipe box, so that’s where it should print from. If you try to print from your browser otherwise, it might not work because there are a lot of photos on the page…so be sure to scroll to the actual recipe box and print from there. Or try a different browser, perhaps. If you are still having a hard time, please let me know via my contact form so I can pass it on. Thank you!
I can’t wait to make this with my summer squash! Pinned and sharing 🙂
Thanks, Malia! I hope you love it!