Romanian Stuffed Squash Soup (Ciorbă de Dovlecei Umpluţi)

Ciorbă de Dovlecei Umpluţi is a traditional Romanian soup made with stuffed squash, a delicious and comforting dish perfect for the colder months.

Romanian Stuffed Squash Soup (Ciorbă de Dovlecei Umpluţi)

Ingredients

  • 4 medium-sized zucchinis
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 carrots, grated
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
  • 6 cups vegetable broth
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cut the tops off the zucchinis and carefully scoop out the flesh, leaving a sturdy shell. Chop the scooped-out flesh and set aside.
  3. In a bowl, mix the cooked rice, chopped onion, grated carrots, tomato sauce, sour cream, egg, and fresh dill. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Stuff the hollowed zucchinis with the rice mixture and place them in a baking dish.
  5. Pour the vegetable broth over the stuffed zucchinis and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the zucchinis are tender.
  6. Transfer the stuffed zucchinis and broth to a pot and bring to a simmer on the stovetop. Add the reserved chopped zucchini flesh and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
  7. Adjust the seasoning if needed and serve hot.

Cooking & Preparation

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

Nutritional facts per 1 serving

Calories
250 per serving
Carbohydrates
30g
Protein
15g
Fat
8g

Supplies

Baking dish Pot

Tools

Knife Cutting board Bowl Oven

Serving suggestions

Serve the Ciorbă de Dovlecei Umpluţi with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh dill on top. It pairs well with crusty bread or a side salad.

Tips & tricks

For a heartier version, you can add cooked ground meat to the rice stuffing mixture before baking.

Cost

$10