Kousa Mahshi (emirati-style Stuffed Zucchini)

Kousa Mahshi is a traditional Emirati dish of stuffed zucchini, filled with a flavorful mixture of rice, meat, and aromatic spices. This dish is a popular choice for family gatherings and special occasions in the UAE.

Halal Gluten Free Main Course Emirati Emirati Cuisine Zucchini Recipe Stuffed Vegetables
Kousa Mahshi (emirati-style Stuffed Zucchini)

Ingredients

  • 4 large zucchinis
  • 1 cup of long-grain rice
  • 250g of ground lamb or beef
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon of ground allspice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups of chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup of chopped fresh mint

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cut the tops off the zucchinis and hollow them out using a spoon, leaving about 1/4 inch of flesh. Reserve the zucchini pulp for later use.
  3. Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain and set aside.
  4. In a bowl, mix the ground meat, chopped onion, chopped tomatoes, rice, tomato paste, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and pepper. Stir in the chopped parsley and mint.
  5. Stuff the zucchinis with the meat and rice mixture, leaving a little space at the top for the rice to expand.
  6. Place the stuffed zucchinis in a deep pot and pour the chicken or vegetable broth over them. Add the reserved zucchini pulp to the pot.
  7. Cover the pot and cook the stuffed zucchinis over medium heat for 45-50 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the zucchinis are tender.
  8. Serve the Kousa Mahshi hot, garnished with additional chopped parsley and mint if desired.

Cooking & Preparation

Preparation time:
30 minutes
Cooking time:
1 hour
Total time:
1 hour
Cooking method
Stovetop

Nutritional facts per 1 serving

Calories
300 per serving
Protein
15g
Carbohydrates
30g
Fat
12g

Supplies

Deep pot

Tools

Spoon Knife

Serving suggestions

Serve the Kousa Mahshi with a side of yogurt and a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Tips & tricks

For a vegetarian version, you can replace the ground meat with a mixture of sautéed vegetables and chickpeas.

Cost

$15