Vegetarian Stuffed Zucchini with Brown Rice, Black Beans, Chiles, Cheddar, and Cotija Cheese

Ingredients

• 8 small or 6 medium-sized 8-Ball zucchinis
• About 1/4 cup crumbled Cotija cheese
• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup thinly sliced green onions
• 1 can diced green chiles, drained
• 2 cups cooked brown or white long-grain rice
• 1/2 cup light sour cream
• 1 cup low-fat Mexican 4-Cheese blend
• 1-2 T Green Tabasco Sauce

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 350F/180C. Coat a baking dish with olive oil or nonstick spray, choosing one that fits the zucchini snugly so they stay put while they bake.
2. Pour the black beans into a colander in the sink, then rinse them under cold water until the foamy liquid is gone. Leave them there to drain while you get the zucchini ready.
3. If you are short on 8-Ball zucchini, slice a large long zucchini crosswise into 3 inch sections. With a melon baller or a sharp spoon, hollow out the centers, keeping a thin wall of zucchini inside the peel.
4. Cut the green onions, and pour off the liquid from the diced green chiles. If the beans still look damp, pat them with paper towels.
5. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the beans, green onions, green chiles, rice, sour cream, and low-fat cheese. Stir carefully until everything is evenly mixed, then taste the filling and decide whether you want the optional Green Tabasco Sauce.
6. Set the zucchini in the prepared pan. Spoon the filling into each zucchini ball or cup, pressing gently as you go so the centers are packed firmly.
7. Cover the pan and bake for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, pull the pan from the oven, uncover it, and gently press about 2 tsp. crumbled Cotija cheese, or another cheese you like, onto the top of each filled zucchini.
8. Return the zucchini to the oven for about 30 minutes more, until the zucchini has softened, the filling is hot and bubbling, and the cheese on top has browned nicely.
9. Serve hot. Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for a day or two, and you can warm them again in the microwave or in a toaster oven.