Zucchini Boats with Meat and Béchamel

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 kilos medium zucchini
• 400 grams ground meat
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1/4 teaspoon seven-spice
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt, to taste
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup water
• Béchamel sauce
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 3 cups liquid milk
• 2 tablespoons cream cheese or cheese triangles (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon seasoning (chicken bouillon flavor)
• A pinch of salt
• To prepare the zucchini:
• Wash the zucchini and cut each one lengthwise to get two equal pieces.
• Scoop out a little of the zucchini flesh from the pieces using a spoon.
• In a pot over the heat, boil some water with a pinch of salt, then add the zucchini to the boiling water and blanch them until cooked, but do not overcook them so the pieces stay firm.
• Remove the zucchini from the water into a colander.

Method

1. First prepare the béchamel sauce... put the flour in a pot and stir for 2 minutes, then add the butter and stir for 2 more minutes.
   Timers: 2 min
2. Add the milk while stirring constantly in a circular motion, then add the spices and salt and the cheese (optional).
3. Continue stirring until the béchamel sauce becomes thick, like a hot custard mixture.
4. Add the finely chopped onion and stir until softened.
5. Add the spices, salt, and tomato paste and stir, then add the water and leave them to boil for 5 more minutes, then turn off the heat.
6. In a suitable baking tray or Pyrex dish, spread a quarter of the béchamel, then arrange the zucchini pieces over the béchamel and stuff them with the meat filling.
7. Spread the remaining béchamel beside the stuffed zucchini pieces, not over them.
8. Spread the mozzarella over the zucchini with a light sprinkle of paprika on top of the cheese.
9. Place the zucchini boats with meat and béchamel in the oven, heated from the bottom, for about 10 minutes, then turn on the top heat only until the zucchini boats turn golden or become lightly browned.
   Timers: 10 min
10. Serve the zucchini boats with meat and béchamel with white rice.
11. Potato Donuts is one of Ruwida's delicious recipes—give it a try.
12. Click the link to make Zucchini Stuffed with Yogurt
13. Prepare the meat sauce or filling. Put the meat with the oil in a pan over the heat and stir until the meat changes color.