Black Bean Butternut Squash (Printer-friendly)
Zucchini boats filled with roasted squash, black beans, and zesty sauce topped with melted cheese.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 4 large zucchini
02 - 2 cups butternut squash, peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes
03 - 1 small red onion, finely diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Beans
05 - 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
→ Sauces & Dairy
06 - 1 ½ cups enchilada sauce (red or green)
07 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese
08 - ¼ cup crumbled queso fresco
→ Spices & Seasonings
09 - 1 tsp chili powder
10 - ½ tsp ground cumin
11 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
12 - Salt and pepper to taste
13 - 2 tbsp olive oil
→ Toppings
14 - ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
15 - 1 avocado, sliced
16 - Lime wedges
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Halve zucchini lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the flesh, leaving a ¼-inch shell. Reserve ½ cup of the scooped flesh and chop finely.
02 - Place zucchini boats cut side up on a baking sheet. Lightly brush with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 15 minutes.
03 - Heat remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 2 minutes. Add garlic, chopped zucchini flesh, and butternut squash; cook 8-10 minutes until squash is just tender.
04 - Stir in black beans, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and half of the enchilada sauce (¾ cup). Cook for 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat.
05 - Remove zucchini boats from oven. Spoon the black bean and squash mixture evenly into each boat.
06 - Drizzle remaining enchilada sauce over stuffed boats and sprinkle with shredded cheese.
07 - Return to oven and bake 15-20 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly and zucchini is fork-tender.
08 - Garnish with queso fresco, cilantro, avocado slices, and lime wedges as desired. Serve hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The zucchini shells become tender vessels that hold all that filling without getting soggy
- You get the comfort of enchiladas without the heaviness of corn tortillas weighing you down
02 -
- Do not skip roasting the zucchini boats first or they will release too much water and make everything soggy
- The scooped zucchini flesh adds substance to the filling so do not throw it all away
03 -
- Sweet potato works just as well as butternut squash if that is what you prefer
- A pinch of cayenne pepper wakes everything up without overwhelming the dish