MediterraneanMedium · Hot
Tender zucchini halves filled with a savory walnut-herb breadcrumb mixture, baked until golden and finished with a cooling lemon-yogurt sauce. A warm, satisfying vegetarian centerpiece that honors Imran's signature garlic-and-herb foundation.
20 min
35 min
5 min
1h
Method
Sprinkle the zucchini cavities and surfaces lightly with salt. Let them sit cut-side down on a paper towel for 10 minutes to draw out excess moisture, then pat dry.
Transfer the skillet mixture to a large bowl. Add the toasted walnuts, breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, cilantro, cumin, and black-pepper. Stir everything together until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt if needed.
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and continue baking for another 10-12 minutes until the tops are golden and the zucchini flesh is tender when pierced with a fork.
Serve immediately while warm, with extra lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the top.
Nutri-Score
Excellent balance
A–E · lower is better · score -2
Calories
774
per serving
Protein
23g
Carbs
48g
Fat
59g
Sat. fat
8g
Fiber
11g
Sugar
12g
Sodium
1287mg
Nutri-Score is a general nutritional-balance guide, not medical or dietary advice.
Environmental impact
Low impact
A–E · lower is better · includes estimates
kg CO2e
0.5
per serving
Water
1.2m³
Land
41Pt
Runoff
0.07g P
yogurt drives 38% of this recipe’s estimated footprint.
Carbon from Poore & Nemecek 2018; water, land & runoff from Agribalyse — modelled averages for comparing recipes, not a measurement of your groceries.
Flavor Profile
Umami
Sweet
Salty
Sour
Bitter
Spicy
Textures
Aromas
Kitchen Equipment
Primary Tool
SkilletSafety & Storage
Allergen Warning
This dish contains tree nuts (walnuts) and milk (yogurt). For nut allergies, walnuts can be substituted with toasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds. For dairy-free version, use coconut yogurt or cashew cream sauce.
Cross Contamination
Toast walnuts on a separate pan or in a dedicated area if preparing for severe tree nut allergies. Clean all utensils and surfaces thoroughly after handling walnuts before contact with other ingredients.
Cooking Temperature
Bake stuffed zucchini at 400°F covered with foil for 20 minutes, then uncovered for 10-12 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F and tops are golden.
Handling
When scooping zucchini flesh, be careful not to tear the skin. Pat cavities thoroughly dry after salting to ensure stuffing adheres properly and bakes evenly.
High Risk Population
The yogurt sauce should be served at safe temperatures. For immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, or young children, ensure yogurt is fresh and properly refrigerated before use.
Storage
Store leftover stuffed zucchini in airtight container in refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking. Consume within 3-4 days. Reheat to 165°F before serving. Yogurt sauce should be stored separately and used within 2 days.
Pro Tips
Technique
After salting the zucchini and letting it drain, don't skip patting it completely dry — any remaining moisture will make the stuffing soggy instead of giving you those beautifully golden, slightly crispy tops.
Substitution
Pine nuts or blanched almonds work beautifully in place of walnuts if that's what you have on hand, and they toast up even more quickly — just watch them carefully so they don't burn.
From the chef
When I first served these stuffed zucchini at the rotisería, the Catalan regulars who'd come for chicken found themselves asking for seconds of the vegetarian option — that's when I knew I'd struck something universal. The walnut-herb filling draws from both my mother's Moroccan kitchen and my father's Lahore memories, where nuts find their way into everything from stuffings to koftas. A drizzle of that lemon-yogurt sauce on top, bright and cooling, is my way of saying that vegetarian food doesn't need to be an afterthought — it can be the centerpiece that everyone remembers.
Source: generated · June 10, 2026