Zucchini Stuffed With Chickpeas And Israeli Couscous Recipes

ZUCCHINI STUFFED WITH CHICKPEAS AND ISRAELI COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Set a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Pour 1 cup water onto sheet; set aside. Using a small spoon, scoop out pulp from center of each zucchini, leaving a 1/4-inch-thick shell. Transfer pulp to a kitchen towel, and squeeze out excess liquid. Coarsely chop pulp; set aside. Sprinkle zucchini shells with 1 teaspoon salt. Place shells, cut side down, on paper towels to drain.
• Melt butter with oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add shallot, ginger, and jalapeno. Cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, the cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and saffron. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add zucchini pulp and chickpeas; cook, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes.
• Stir in 1 cup water. Bring to a boil. Add couscous, and return to a boil. Reduce to a simmer. Cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid has absorbed and couscous is tender, about 9 minutes. Remove from heat, and let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Stir in parsley and cilantro. Season with salt, if desired.
• Wipe zucchini shells to remove any liquid. Lightly season with salt. Mound about 1/4 cup filling into each zucchini shell. Transfer to prepared rack. Cover with foil, and bake until zucchini are tender and filling is heated through, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve with sprigs of parsley and cilantro, and lemon wedges.

ZUCCHINI WITH CHICKPEA AND MUSHROOM STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a shallow baking dish.
• Scoop out the flesh of the zucchini; chop the flesh and set aside. Place the shells in the prepared dish.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute onions for 5 minutes, then add garlic and saute 2 minutes more. Stir in chopped zucchini and mushrooms; saute 5 minutes. Stir in coriander, cumin, chickpeas, lemon juice, parsley, salt and pepper. Spoon mixture into zucchini shells.
• Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until zucchini are tender.

COUSCOUS STUFFED ZUCCHINI BOATS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Heat a large pot of water to simmering and add whole zucchini. Cook until just soft, for about IO minutes. Carefully remove them from the water and set aside until cool enough to handle.
• Meanwhile, in a skillet, saute onions in oil until soft. Add the garlic and saute for 30 seconds or so.
• Slice the cooled squash in half lengthwise and scrape the pulp into a mixing bowl. Reserve the shells.
• Combine the squash flesh, onions/garlic, tomatoes, couscous and seasonings.
• Carefully spoon the mixture evenly into the squash shells, mounding slightly.
• Place on a greased baking sheet.
• Bake for 10 minutes or until piping hot.

COUSCOUS WITH ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a saucepan. Add the garlic, onion, cumin, coriander, zucchini, salt and pepper. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring, until wilted, but do not brown.
• Add the water and bring to a boil. Add the couscous and blend well. Cover tightly, remove from the heat and let stand 5 minutes.
• Add the butter; stir and blend with a fork to separate the grains. Serve immediately.