Arbëreshë Stuffed Peppers with Rice and Meat (Speca të Mbushur)
Speca të Mbushur is a traditional Arbëreshë dish that features stuffed peppers with a flavorful mixture of rice and meat. This dish is a delicious representation of the Arbëreshë cuisine, which is influenced by Albanian and Italian flavors.
Ingredients
- 4 large bell peppers
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1/2 lb ground meat (beef or lamb)
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup olive oil
Instructions
- In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened.
- Add the ground meat to the skillet and cook until browned. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Stir in the cooked rice, diced tomatoes, and chopped parsley. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes.
- Stuff the peppers with the rice and meat mixture, then place them in a baking dish.
- Drizzle the stuffed peppers with the remaining olive oil and cover the dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the peppers are tender and slightly charred.
- Serve the Speca të Mbushur hot and enjoy!
Cooking & Preparation
- Preparation time:
- 30 minutes
- Cooking time:
- 45 minutes
- Total time:
- 1 hour
- Cooking method
- Stovetop
Nutritional facts per 1 serving
- Calories
- 350 per serving
- Protein
- 20g
- Carbohydrates
- 30g
- Fat
- 15g
Supplies
Baking dish Skillet Knife Cutting board
Tools
Oven Stove
Serving suggestions
Serve the Speca të Mbushur with a side of fresh salad and crusty bread.
Tips & tricks
For a vegetarian version, you can substitute the ground meat with cooked lentils or chickpeas.
Cost
$15