High Protein Stuffed Zucchini

Warmer weather is here which means zucchini is back in season! Zucchini is a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals that support gut, immune, and hormonal health. These stuffed zucchini are a healthy & easy way to enjoy this vegetable while packiing in protein to help keep you full and stabilize blood sugar levels.

Ingredients (serves 3-4):

-6 zucchini, sliced & hollowed out (save the insides & chop them up to add to the meat mixture)
-1 lb lean ground chicken
-1 white onion, diced
-2 garlic cloves, minced
-1 bell pepper, diced
-2 cups baby spinach
-1 jar tomato sauce
-2 tbsp Italian seasoning
-4 tbsp grated parmigiano reggiano cheese
-sea salt & black pepper, to taste
-fresh parsley, for topping

Directions:

-pour 1/2 the tomato sauce in the bottom of a baking dish & place the zucchini on top, cut side up.

-in a nonstick pan, heat some olive oil over medium heat. add the ground chicken, breaking it up with a spoon. add the onion, garlic, bell pepper, spinach, & the hollowed out parts of the zucchini & cook for 5 min.
-add in the tomato sauce, seasoning, cheese, salt, & pepper and cook until the sauce starts to reduce (5-8 minutes).
-remove from heat & spoon the mixture evenly among the zucchini.
-bake at 375 for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
-garnish with fresh parsley & serve with a side salad!