Kousa Mahshi (aleppo-style Stuffed Zucchini)
Kousa Mahshi is a traditional Syrian dish that features zucchinis stuffed with a flavorful mixture of rice, ground meat, and aromatic spices. This Aleppo-style recipe is a beloved dish in Syrian cuisine, known for its comforting and hearty flavors.
Ingredients
- 4 medium zucchinis
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 250g ground beef or lamb
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
Instructions
- Prepare the zucchinis by cutting off the tops and hollowing them out with a spoon, leaving about 1/4 inch of flesh. Reserve the flesh for later use.
- Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then drain.
- In a bowl, mix the ground meat, rice, chopped onion, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, allspice, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Stuff the hollowed zucchinis with this mixture.
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the reserved zucchini flesh and sauté for a few minutes.
- Carefully place the stuffed zucchinis in the pot, arranging them in a single layer. Pour the chicken or vegetable broth over the zucchinis.
- Bring the broth to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 45-50 minutes, or until the zucchinis are tender and the rice is cooked.
- Serve the Kousa Mahshi hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
Cooking & Preparation
- Preparation time:
- 20 minutes
- Cooking time:
- 1 hour
- Total time:
- 1 hour
- Cooking method
- Stovetop
Nutritional facts per 1 serving
- Calories
- 350 per serving
- Protein
- 20g
- Carbohydrates
- 30g
- Fat
- 15g
Supplies
Large pot Spoon Bowl
Tools
Knife Cutting board Sauté pan
Serving suggestions
Kousa Mahshi pairs well with a side of yogurt and a fresh salad.
Tips & tricks
For a vegetarian version, you can omit the ground meat and increase the amount of rice and vegetables in the stuffing mixture.
Cost
Medium