Romanian Stuffed Zucchini (Dovlecei Umpluţi)

Dovlecei Umpluţi, or Romanian Stuffed Zucchini, is a delicious and hearty dish that is popular in Romanian cuisine. This recipe features zucchini stuffed with a flavorful mixture of ground meat, rice, and vegetables, then simmered to perfection. It's a comforting and satisfying meal that is perfect for a cozy dinner at home.

Gluten Free Dairy Free Main Course Romanian Stuffed Zucchini Romanian Cuisine Main Dish
Romanian Stuffed Zucchini (Dovlecei Umpluţi)

Ingredients

  • 4 medium zucchinis
  • 1 pound ground meat (beef, pork, or turkey)
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 2 tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cut the zucchinis in half lengthwise and scoop out the flesh, leaving about ¼ inch shell. Chop the scooped-out flesh and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, and chopped zucchini flesh. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
  4. Add the ground meat to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
  5. Stir in the cooked rice, chopped tomatoes, garlic, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes to combine the flavors.
  6. Stuff the hollowed-out zucchini halves with the meat and rice mixture.
  7. Place the stuffed zucchinis in a baking dish and pour the chicken or vegetable broth into the bottom of the dish.
  8. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the zucchinis are tender and the filling is heated through.
  9. Serve the Dovlecei Umpluţi hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

Cooking & Preparation

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

Nutritional facts per 1 serving

Calories
320 per serving
Protein
18g
Carbohydrates
25g
Fat
15g

Supplies

Baking dish Foil

Tools

Skillet Knife Cutting board Spoon

Serving suggestions

Serve the Dovlecei Umpluţi with a side of crusty bread and a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Tips & tricks

For a vegetarian version, you can replace the ground meat with cooked lentils or mushrooms for a delicious alternative.

Cost

$12