Pontic Style Stuffed Zucchini (Ποντιακά Γεμιστά Κολοκυθάκια)
Ποντιακά Γεμιστά Κολοκυθάκια, or Pontic Style Stuffed Zucchini, is a traditional dish from the Pontic Greek cuisine. This recipe features zucchinis stuffed with a flavorful mixture of rice, herbs, and ground meat, creating a delicious and hearty meal.
Ingredients
- 4 medium zucchinis
- 1/2 cup rice
- 250g ground meat (beef or lamb)
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 tomato, grated
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the zucchinis by cutting off the tops and hollowing out the insides, leaving about 1/4 inch of flesh. Reserve the flesh for later use.
- Rinse the rice under cold water and drain.
- In a bowl, mix the rice, ground meat, chopped onion, grated tomato, chopped parsley, chopped dill, and the reserved zucchini flesh. Season with salt and pepper.
- Stuff the zucchinis with the rice and meat mixture, leaving a little space at the top for the rice to expand.
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Place the stuffed zucchinis in the pot, arranging them snugly next to each other.
- Add enough water to the pot to partially cover the zucchinis. Cover the pot and simmer for about 1 hour, or until the zucchinis are tender and the rice is cooked.
- Serve the stuffed zucchinis hot, drizzled with a little olive oil and accompanied by a dollop of Greek yogurt, 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
- 350 per serving
- Protein
- 20g
- Carbohydrates
- 30g
- Fat
- 15g
Supplies
Large pot Knife Bowl Spoon
Tools
Cutting board Chef's knife Grater
Serving suggestions
Serve the stuffed zucchinis with a side of Greek salad and crusty bread for a complete meal.
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
$15