Zucchini Boats

Thank you Lexi's Clean Kitchen (Lexiscleankitchen.com) for this delicious recipe.  I will be making it next week for my 2nd week of 22 Minute Hard Corp plus clean eating.  I will let everyone know how it taste but if you make it first please share with me how good it is!  And this also proves that clean eating doesn't have to be boring it can truly be delicious. Try it!

Ingredients

1. 4 large organic zucchinis, sliced in half down the middle
2. 1 lb. grass-fed beef
3. 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
4. 2 large organic carrots, chopped
5. 1 cup frozen or fresh peas
6. 1 white onion, chopped
7. 1 clove garlic, crushed
8. 1 15 oz. can Muir Glen Organic Tomato Sauce
9. 1 6 oz. can Muir Glen Organic Tomato Paste
10. Himalayan sea salt, to taste
11. 1 tsp garlic granules
12. 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, more or less as desired
13. 1/2 tsp cayenne
14. Cracked black pepper, to taste
15. 1 small bunch fresh basil
16. Optional: 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, more as desired
17. Optional: 1/2 cup portobello mushrooms, chopped
18. Optional: 1 cup fresh spinach

Instructions

1. 1. Preheat oven to 375
2. 2. Clean and cut zucchinis in half down the middle so you have two boats
3. 3. Using a spoon or a melon baller, scoop out the center (you don't want it too too thin)
4. 4. Place zucchini on a baking sheet and place in the oven for 10 minutes while preparing your filling
5. 5. In a large pan heat oil and garlic
6. 6. Add in onions, carrots, and peas (add in mushrooms if using them); cook for 5 minutes or until veggies are cooked down and soft
7. 7. Add in meat and cook until brown
8. 8. Add your tomato sauce, tomato paste, garlic, red pepper, cayenne, basil sea salt, and pepper- mix well to combine (if adding spinach, add it here)
9. 9. Let the flavors cook together for an additional 5–7 minutes, until mixture thickens, taste and adjust spices as desired
10. 10. Remove zucchini from the oven and spoon mixture into each boat
11. 11. Cover each boat filling with parmesan cheese and place back into the oven for 15 minutes, or until zucchini is cooked to your liking