Zucchini Boats

Ingredients:

-2 medium sized zucchinis

-¾ lb ground meat of choice

-1 small onion, chopped finely

-1 clove garlic, chopped finely

-½ cup chopped mushrooms

-½ cup chopped green pepper

-½ cup chopped red pepper

-1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided

-2 tablespoons ketchup (or tomato paste)

Cooking Directions:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

• Trim the ends of the zucchinis and cut them in half lengthwise. Scoop out the pulp from the insides so that you have a place to put the filling. Finely chop the zucchini pulp.

• Sauté the ground meat with the zucchini pulp, onion, garlic, mushrooms, and peppers until the meat is no longer pink and the vegetables have softened. Drain, if needed.

• Take the mixture off the heat and stir in half of the cheese and all of the ketchup.• Spoon the mixture into the zucchini shells and top with the remaining cheese.

• Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the zucchinis are tender.

Makes 4 servings;

*count each serving as 3 proteins.