Levantine

Levantine Stuffed Zucchini with Meat and Rice

A famous traditional Levantine dish featuring tender cored zucchini stuffed with seasoned minced meat and rice, simmered in a rich tomato sauce infused with dried mint and garlic.

1 h 30 min 4 servings 430 cal/serving Medium 5 views
Levantine Stuffed Zucchini with Meat and Rice

Instructions

  1. Preparing and coring the zucchini
    Wash the zucchini and trim off the stems, then carefully core them using a zucchini corer, leaving a wall of suitable thickness to maintain their structural integrity.
  2. Preparing the filling
    In a deep bowl, combine the drained rice, minced meat, one tablespoon of ghee, seven spices, black pepper, and one teaspoon of salt until the filling is thoroughly mixed.
  3. Stuffing the zucchini
    Stuff the zucchini with the rice and meat mixture, leaving about two fingers' width of empty space at the top (roughly one-third of the zucchini) to allow room for the rice to expand as it cooks.
  4. Starting the cooking process
    Arrange the stuffed zucchini snugly in a deep pot. Whisk the hot water with the tomato paste and the remaining salt, then pour it over the zucchini. Place a heavy heatproof plate on top to keep them submerged, and bring to a boil over medium heat for 40 minutes. · 40 min
  5. Adding aromatics and simmering
    Add the minced garlic, dried mint, lemon juice, and remaining ghee to the broth. Remove the heavy plate and let the pot simmer over low heat for an additional 10 minutes until the sauce has thickened and the flavors have melded. · 10 min

Nutrition / serving

430
cal
18
protein g
46
carbs g
19
fat g

Chef's tips

Be careful not to overstuff the zucchini so they do not burst when the rice expands. Reserve the scooped-out zucchini pulp to make a delicious zucchini mutabbal dip or a savory egg frittata.