Mediterranean Cottage Cheese and Olive Tapenade Zucchini Boats

If you’re searching for a delightful way to enjoy healthy zucchini snacks, look no further than these Mediterranean zucchini boats filled with cottage cheese and topped with a savory olive tapenade. These zucchini boat appetizers are not only delicious but also a fantastic low-carb option that can fit perfectly into a variety of meal ideas.

Imagine sinking your fork into tender zucchini filled with creamy cottage cheese, perfectly complemented by the rich and tangy flavors of olive tapenade. It’s a satisfying meal that feels indulgent yet remains healthy. Whether you’re entertaining guests or simply treating yourself, these stuffed zucchini with cheese make for an impressive dish with minimal effort.

Contents hide

1 Healthy and Flavorful Zucchini Boat Meal Ideas

3 Best Diets for Mediterranean Cottage Cheese and Olive Tapenade Zucchini Boats

Healthy and Flavorful Zucchini Boat Meal Ideas

These zucchini boats offer a fresh and vibrant taste, combining the creaminess of cottage cheese with the bold flavors of the olive tapenade topping. This dish balances healthy ingredients while maintaining a satisfying flavor profile, making it an excellent choice for those following low-carb zucchini recipes.

Ingredients

4 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise
1 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup olive tapenade
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Prep the Zucchini: Scoop out the seeds from the zucchini halves to create ‘boats’. Drizzle with olive oil and season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Fill the Zucchini: In a bowl, mix the cottage cheese with half of the olive tapenade and fill each zucchini half with this mixture.
Top with Cheese: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the filled zucchini.
Bake: Place the zucchini boats on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is bubbly.
Serve: Drizzle remaining olive tapenade over the top before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Nutrition Information

Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 180kcal
Fat: 10g
Protein: 12g
Carbohydrates: 8g

Recommended Amazon Products for Making Cottage Cheese Recipes

Here’s a curated list of tools and ingredients to make your cooking experience easier and more efficient.

1. Silicone Muffin Pan

Why You Need It: Non-stick and easy to clean, silicone muffin pans make removing the muffins hassle-free. Plus, they’re reusable and eco-friendly.

Bestseller No. 1

CAKETIME 12 Cups Silicone Muffin Pan – Nonstick Cupcake Pan 1 Pack Regular Size Silicone Mold for Baking

Food Grade Muffin Pan: Pan weights: 7.7 oz. Cup diameter top: 2.75 inch, cup depth: 1.1 inch
Easy Baking And Release: Nonstick surface and flexible, easy to release and clean, this muffin tin is impermeable, practicality and durability
High Resistant: Safe for oven, microwave, dishwasher, fridge, freezer. Wide heat resistant range: -104 ℉ to 446 ℉

2. Whisk Set

Why You Need It: A sturdy whisk is essential for combining eggs and cottage cheese smoothly.

Bestseller No. 1

Walfos Silicone Whisk,Stainless Steel Wire Whisk Set of 3 -Heat Resistant 480°F Kitchen Whisks for Non-stick Cookware,Balloon Egg Beater Perfect for Blending,Whisking,Beating,Frothing & Stirring,Black

Thickened silicone protective cover, stop scratching your cookware : Walfos whisk is made of 1.65 mm reliable stainless steel with wires non scratch coated coated in 0.3mm soft silicone, non-scratch whisks will not damage or scratch any of your pots, pans, bowls, or other dishes while you cook your favorite meals! , not rust, discolor, deform or melt. The ultimate accessory for nonstick coated baking
Ergonomically plastic handle, provides you with a comfortable grip : Walfos Silicone whisk set has a 5 inch long handle, unique are design make it fit comfortably in the palm of your hand. The handle won’t slip, even in wet hands
High performance,sturdy andsafe : Plastic whisks allows to withstand high heat resistant up to 480℉. Our non-stick whisk for vigorous whipping and aerating while making your favorite foods. 3 different sizes wisk.8.5inch, 9 inch and 11inch, they will meet all your diverse cooking needs

3. Mixing Bowl Set

Why You Need It: A set of nesting mixing bowls with non-slip bases makes it easy to prep ingredients without spills.

SaleBestseller No. 1

Umite Chef Mixing Bowls with Airtight Lids Set, 8PCS Stainless Steel Khaki Nesting Bowls with Grater Attachments, Kitchen Bowls with Non-Slip Bottoms, Size 5, 4, 3.5, 2, 1.5QT for Mixing & Serving

3GRATER ATTACHMENTS: This bowl set comes with 3 different grater attachments (slicing/grating/shredding) just shred or slice right into the bowl! without making a mess and eliminating the need for a cutting board to clean. 4qt had a removable lid inside the main lid, for adding contents or pairing it with your blender without removing the entire lid to prevent splash. For each cook enthusiast, this is a must in a kitchen! All necessary tools for cutting are very handy, easy to keep things clean around you
NON SLIP SILICONE BOTTOMS: Most metal mixing bowls is that they will slide on the counter the more vigorously you store items in them. These bowls have a rubber bottom which makes them stick to the counter better making it easier to mix stuff in it. It won’t scratch or mark your marble countertops. There is no doubt that the silicone base is more wear-resistant, and you do not need to worry about wear on the bottom of the bowl, or making your marble countertop scratching or leaving marks
AIRTIGHT BPA FREE LIDS & 5 SIZES BOWLS: The range of sizes from 5QT down to 1.5QT, makes this set incredibly versatile and suitable for a wide range of tasks. Each bowl comes with a QT label to make it easier to choose the right size. The airtight lids that come with this mixing bowl set make it easy to store ingredients and leftovers to Keep your food fresh for longer without worrying about spills or leaks. Bowl sizes fit on standard-size refrigerator shelves and cabinets.

4. Measuring Cups and Spoons

Why You Need It: Accurate measurements are key to perfectly fluffy muffins.

Bestseller No. 1

Measuring Cups and Spoons Set of 20, 7 Stainless Steel Nesting Measuring Cups & 7 Spoons, 1 + Leveler & 5 Mini Measuring Spoons for Cooking & Baking

PERFECT DESIGNED TO LAST A LIFETIME: Our measuring cups and spoons are all made out of one piece of metal so the handles will never bend or break off. We upgraded the material to rust resistant & durable 18/0 stainless steel and thickened the cup body to avoid cracking, easy to clean and dishwasher safe.
CONVENIENT TO READ MEASUREMENTS: Each measuring cup also has outside markings for a smaller measurement size that is visible on the inside. The rectangular design of the measuring spoons is slim and narrow to fit into small spice jars or herb containers, ideal for measuring any amounts.
PROFESSIONAL SET INCLUDES ALL ODD SIZES: This set comes with 7 stainless measuring cups: 1/8, 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, and 1 cup, and a measuring spoon set of 7: 1/16 tsp, 1/8 tsp, 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 3/4 tsp, 1 tsp, 1 tbsp, and 1 bonus Leveler & 5 Mini Measuring Spoons to help you reduce any measuring errors for cooking, baking or coffee, get delicious food.

5. Chopping Board and Knife Set

Why You Need It: Perfect for chopping vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or tomatoes for your muffins.

Bestseller No. 1

Glad Knife Set with Cutting Board, 5 Pieces | Sharp Santoku and Utility Knives with Blade Covers and Plastic Chopping Block | Kitchen Cooking Accessories,Gray

5-PIECE KITCHEN COOKING SET – This kitchen knives set comes with a 5 inch utility knife and 5 inch Santoku knife, both with matching blade covers, and a plastic cutting board for the perfect all-in-one set for preparing any meal.
STAINLESS STEEL KNIVES WITH NO-SLIP HANDLES – Each knife features an extra sharp fixed blade that is made from high carbon stainless steel that is resistant to corrosion. Complete with no-slip grip handles for maximum control and safety. Hand wash only.
SHEATHS KEEP BLADES & HANDS PROTECTED – Each knife comes with its own sheath cover that secures onto the blade for knife protection from damage and lends added safety while handling knives for simple drawer storage.

6. Shredded Cheese Grater

Why You Need It: Grating cheese fresh at home ensures better flavor and texture.

SaleBestseller No. 1

Cambom Rotary Cheese Grater Hand Crank Cheese Shredder for Fresh Cheese, Vegetable, Nuts,Non-slip Suction Base, Free Cleaning Brush Three Blades, Black

Three Blades: Coarse shredding blade, fine shredding blade with different diameter ; One slicing blades; A pound of cheese is only 30 seconds, avoid contact between fingers and blades
Material Safety: All plastic parts are food grade materials, Bpa Free, safe to use. No electricity required. 430 stainless steel blade, more robust, no rust
Suitable Desktop: The base adopts suction cup mode, suitable for marble, glass desktop, chassis suction is very large, safe and strong operation, will not produce slip

7. Cooking Spray

Why You Need It: Keeps the muffins from sticking to the pan and ensures easy removal.

Bestseller No. 1

Pam Original No-Stick Cooking Spray 100% natural Canola Oil (2 pack – 12oz each can)

Pack of 2, 12 ounce cans (total of 24 ounces)
All natural and fat free
Naturally cholesterol free

8. Fresh Herb Cutter

Why You Need It: Garnish your muffins with freshly chopped herbs effortlessly.

Bestseller No. 1

Herb Scissors Set – Updated 2024 Cool Kitchen Gadgets for Cutting Fresh Garden Herbs – Herb Cutter Shears with 5 Blades and Cover, Sharp and Anti-rust Stainless Steel, Dishwasher Safe (Black-White)

2024 new high-quality herb cutting scissors with 5 stainless steel blades.
The Herb Shear Set contains a safety cover and a comb for cleaning.
The five-blade design increase your productivity by four times.

9. Storage Containers

Why You Need It: Keep your muffins fresh for meal prepping or snacking later.

Bestseller No. 1

Rubbermaid 60-Piece Food Storage Containers with Lids, Microwave and Dishwasher Safe, Red Color, Ideal for Meal Prep and Pantry Storage

Durable: Thick-walled containers for everyday use
Set: Includes 30 containers and 30 lids in varied sizes
Stackable Design: Provides clutter-free storage

10. Cottage Cheese

Bestseller No. 1

Good Culture Cottage Cheese 2% Low-Fat Classic, 5.3 Oz

High Protein
Low sugar
Small Family Farms

Best Diets for Mediterranean Cottage Cheese and Olive Tapenade Zucchini Boats

Here’s a helpful table highlighting which diets this recipe fits best and why:

Diet Type	Why It Works
Low-Carb/Keto	High in protein, low in carbs (only 8g per serving). The cottage cheese and olives provide healthy fats.
Mediterranean	Features classic Mediterranean ingredients like olive tapenade, zucchini, and olive oil.
High-Protein	Contains 12g of protein per serving from cottage cheese and mozzarella.
Vegetarian	Meat-free but still filling due to protein-rich cottage cheese and cheese topping.
Gluten-Free	Naturally gluten-free with no added grains or wheat-based ingredients.
Calorie-Conscious	Only 180 calories per serving, making it a low-calorie yet satisfying meal or snack.
Diabetic-Friendly	Low in sugar and carbs, making it suitable for managing blood sugar.
Heart-Healthy	Rich in heart-healthy fats from olive oil and olives while being low in unhealthy fats.
Meal Prep-Friendly	Easy to prepare in batches and reheat throughout the week.

These Mediterranean Cottage Cheese and Olive Tapenade Zucchini Boats are a delicious and nutritious addition to various diet plans, making them perfect for a well-balanced meal or snack.