INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup frozen baby lima beans
  • 2 large zucchini (about 1 1/2 pounds)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic-infused olive oil
  • 1 cup tomatillo salsa or salsa verde
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup crumbled farmer cheese
  • 3 tablespoons minced cilantro
  • 1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds (optional)or sunflower seeds (optional)

DIRECTIONS

  1. Combine quinoa and broth in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat; simmer gently 10 minutes.
  2. Stir in lima beans; continue to simmer 5 to 6 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
  3. Meanwhile, cut zucchini lengthwise in half. Cut out and discard seeds. Using a sharp paring knife, cut out flesh leaving a 1/3-inch-thick shell.
  4. Chop flesh and set aside. Place hollowed chayote halves in microwave-safe dish.
  5. Cover with vented plastic wrap and cook at high power 5 to 8 minutes or until crisp-tender.
  6. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil, then chopped squash pulp; stir-fry 2 minutes.
  7. Add salsa; simmer 3 minutes or until squash is tender. Stir ½ cup of salsa mixture into quinoa mixture.
  8. Arrange cooked squash halves, cut side up on four serving plates; sprinkle with salt. Mound remaining salsa mixture into the squash halves.
  9. Spoon quinoa mixture onto and around squash; top with cheese and cilantro. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of pumpkin or sunflower seeds over each serving, if desired.