With simple steps and only a few ingredients, this Grilled Caprese Zucchini Boats recipe makes summer meals even more delicious!
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We’ve been eating A LOT of zucchini this summer.
Several times this summer, I have put so much zucchini in the produce bag at the grocery store that I thought it was going to burst. As a matter of fact, I just got back from the store where I bought just over 10 pounds worth of zucchini. It might seem a bit extreme, but it’s our favorite summer vegetable and, man, we can pack it away!
Bringing home this much zucchini, has us trying all sorts of new zucchini recipes and ideas. One thing we (finally) made this summer is “zoodles” (zucchini noodles). It’s been the main star of several healthy dinners. I love that the kids enjoy them just as much as David and I. Zucchini has also made appearances at breakfast (omelets!), baked goods (bread!), and as side dishes.
But, latest thing my family is obsessed with:  Grilled Caprese Zucchini Boats.
I don’t mind their obsession even one bit because they are SO good and SO easy. They are made of simple ingredients – only 6 of them: zucchini, tomatoes, basil, olive oil, salt, and mozzarella cheese.
Ingredients Needed for Grilled Caprese Zucchini Boats:
- Zucchini (2)
- Olive Oil (1 Tablespoon)
- Salt
- Mozzarella (3-4 oz – Sliced)
- Grape Tomatoes (8)
- Basil LeavesÂ
Cooking Equipment Needed for Grilled Caprese Zucchini Boats:
There is only a few quick steps, they are ready to eat. First, trim off the ends of your zucchini and cut it in half lengthwise. Then, using a small spoon, scrape out just a bit of the zucchini flesh, to create a well. You don’t have to remove much, just enough to create a place to cradle your mozzarella cheese. When scooping out your zucchini flesh, be careful to stay away from the edges — you’ll want to leave about 1/4th” from the edge intact.
Brush the cut side of the zucchini with olive oil and season with salt.  You’ll also cut some tomatoes into small chunks. I prefer to use grape tomatoes and cut them into fourths. The basil is cut into thin ribbons (also called a chiffonade).
For the mozzarella cheese, be sure to use one with the red REAL® Seal, like you see in the middle of this image below:
You’ve probably seen the REAL® Seal on lots of dairy products from sour cream to ice cream and more. When you see the REAL® Seal on a product, it’s a sign that the product you are buying is a genuine dairy product, made with milk from cows on U.S. dairy farms. Companies have to register and meet specific guidelines to be able to display REAL® Seal on their packaging. You can learn more on the REAL® Seal website.
When you are looking for the REAL® Seal on packaging, you might find it on various places on the packaging. I found it near the top right, on the front, of my mozzarella cheese.  See it there?
Take your REAL® Seal mozzarella and cut it into slices and cut each of those slices into strips.
Heat your grill on medium-low heat. Place the zucchini on your grill, cut side down. I like to place it at an angle, as you see in the image below, because it will create nice diagonal charred lines on the zucchini. Continue cooking until the zucchini is charred and beginning to soften, about 10 minutes or so.
Turn the zucchini over, laying the zucchini in the same direction as the lines on the rack, as this will help to cradle each zucchini boat. Place your mozzarella slices into the well area of each zucchini boat. I used 1 slice (cut in half) for each zucchini boat.
Top the mozzarella with your tomatoes. Cover the lid on your grill and continuing cooking until the cheese is melted. After the cheese is melted, remove your zucchini boats carefully from the grill.
Before serving, sprinkle with your basil ribbons. And then they are ready to enjoy!
Grilled Caprese Zucchini Boats Recipe
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Grilled Caprese Zucchini Boats Recipe
Description
This easy Grilled Caprese Zucchini boat recipe brings together tomatoes, basil, zucchini, and mozzarella cheese for a delicious summertime side dish.
Ingredients
- 2 zucchini
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt
- 3–4 ounces mozzarella cheese with the REAL® Seal (cut into 8 strips)
- 8 grape tomatoes (cut into fourths)
- leaves Basil (about 4 medium cut into thin ribbons)
Instructions
- Heat grill on medium heat.
- Trim off the ends of the zucchini and cut it in half lengthwise. Using a small spoon, scrape out just a bit of the zucchini flesh, to create a well (just enough to create a place to cradle your mozzarella cheese), leaving about 1/4″ from the edge intact..
- Brush the cut side of the zucchini with olive oil and season with salt.
- Place zucchini, cut side down, on the grill at an angle. Continue cooking until the zucchini is charred and beginning to soften, about 10 minutes or so.
- Turn zucchini over, laying the zucchini in the same direction as the lines on the rack, as this will help to cradle each zucchini boat. Place 2 mozzarella strips into the well area of each zucchini boat.
- Top the mozzarella with about 8 tomato pieces. Cover the lid on the grill and continue cooking until the cheese is melted. After the cheese is melted, remove your zucchini boats carefully from the grill.
- Before serving, sprinkle with your basil ribbons.
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Grilled
- Cuisine: American
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Liz Koehler says
Wonder if fresh mozarella pearl balls would work…looks yummy!
Mother of 3 says
I too love zucchini and just can not get enough in the spring and summer (and even into the fall when I can find it!). This looks like a delicious recipe. Pinned.
Karins Kottage says
Such a great idea! I Love caprese salads but this is a great way to get in another veggie! Well done!
Karin
Debby says
I’m always looking for more ways to cook zucchini! Thanks for such a yummy looking recipe!
Kristi Dominguez says
These look SO good, Brandie! What a great low carb recipe idea! I could make a meal out of these! Thanks for linking up with us on Inspiration Monday this week and sharing your delicious meal ideas!
Judee@gluten free A-Z Blog says
Love this idea. Perfect summer vegetable blend of zucchini, cherry tomatoes and basil.. Can’t wait to make these.
Miz Helen says
Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday! Hope you are having a great week and come back to see us real soon.
Miz Helen
Emily says
Love zucchini boats!! Thanks for linking up with Merry Monday this week; I’ll be featuring your caprese zucchini boats at our upcoming party this Sunday evening. I hope you’ll stop by and link up with us again!
Theresa says
Thanks for sharing at the #InspirationSpotlight party @DearCreatives Pinned & shared.
ItalianBelly says
Great idea! We have so many right now that they’re in season. Will have to make this soon #homemattersparty
Alison's Allspice says
I have always baked zucchini boats, I love that you put yours on the grill!! No need to heat up the house during summer! Pinned for later, Thanks!
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
What a great new idea for zucchini! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party!
Michelle @ O Blog Off says
I saw this @ Saucy Saturdays and had to click! I am a lover of anything caprese style! I love that this whole dish can be made right on the grill! So nice for the summer when you don’t want to turn on the oven! Love it!
Michelle
Cristina at Ava's Alphabet says
These look mouth-watering good! Yum! I can’t wait to try them this summer. Thank you for sharing on Family Joy Blog Link-Up Party. Have a great week!
Rachel Osborn says
I am not a huge fan of zucchini when it has been grilled, but I know some people love it! Either way, this looks like a great, healthy side to serve for guests! Easy, but still looks good enough to impress! 🙂 Thanks for sharing with us at the Family Joy Link-Up! Hope to see you again next week!
Mary says
Yum! This is definately on the must make list. I love all these ingredients. Thanks for posting it
Vanessa D. says
These look so yummy! I don’t think 10lbs of zucchini is extreme at all. It sounds just right to me. Of course I’m the only person I know who never gets enough zucchini from their garden, most people have one plant and their trying to get rid of it..
Diana Rambles says
Congratulations! This is going to be featured over at Diana Rambles tomorrow and has been pinned in the Featured at Diana Rambles board at Pinterest, Tweeted, Yummed and Stumbled. Please grab a featured button off my button page or via the post guidelines graphic. Thanks for sharing this awesome idea!
Sarah R. says
GORGEOUS and I’m quite certain delicious as well! Thank you for swinging by Snickerdoodle Sunday and hope to see your latest makes later today!
Sarah (Sadie Seasongoods)
Kati says
This looks so delicious! My zucchini plant bummed out on me this year and I only got 3 zucchini total and I have always had a hard time buying them cause they are usually being handed like candy on Halloween. But I guess I need to grab a few at the farmers market this weekend.
Regine says
Great recipe! I’d love to try this with more cheese! Yum! – Regine
Iryna Bychkiv says
That’s a great recipe! I love grilled zucchini. Your recipe is a good way to transform the dish. Pinning for later.
Cathy says
Wow! This is mouthwatering amazing! I would love for you to share this at my party Making Memories Mondays that is going on now! Hope to see you there! 🙂
Cathy