Kousa Mahshia (Stuffed Zucchini with Meat)

Ingredients

• Olive oil (For sautéing)
• 1 Onion (Finely chopped)
• 500 g Ground meat (Beef or lamb)
• 1 tsp Meat spices (Baharat or 7-spice blend)
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 0.5 tsp Paprika
• 0.5 tsp Dried coriander
• Salt (To taste)
• 0.25 cup Fresh cilantro (Chopped)
• 0.25 cup Fresh parsley (Chopped)
• 1 kg Zucchini (Cored/hollowed out)
• 3 Garlic (Cloves, minced)
• 2 Tomatoes (Peeled and diced)
• 1.5 cup Tomato juice (Or tomato puree)
• 0.5 tsp Cumin
• 1 tbsp Pomegranate molasses (Optional, for tanginess)

Steps

1. 1

   In a pan over medium heat, add olive oil and sauté a small amount of chopped onion until it begins to change color.

2. 2

   Add the ground meat to the pan with the onions. Season with meat spices, black pepper, paprika, and a little dried coriander. Add salt to taste and cook until the meat is browned.

3. 3

   Stir in the chopped fresh cilantro and parsley, then remove the meat mixture from the heat and set aside.

4. 4

   In another pan (or the same one cleaned), heat a little olive oil and sauté the cored zucchini until they change color and soften slightly. Remove them from the pan and let them cool.

5. 5

   To prepare the sauce, sauté more chopped onion and minced garlic in a pan until softened.

6. 6

   Add the peeled and diced tomatoes along with the tomato juice. Season with cumin, black pepper, meat spices, paprika, and salt.

7. 7

   If you prefer a tangy flavor, stir in a little pomegranate molasses into the sauce.

8. 8

   Pour the prepared tomato sauce into the bottom of a baking dish.

9. 9

   Stuff the cooled zucchini with the ground meat mixture and arrange them in the baking dish on top of the sauce.

10. 10

    Place the dish in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.

11. 11

    Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving. Serve with local rice.

Notes

The zucchini is cored before starting. Sautéing the zucchini before stuffing adds a deeper flavor and improves the texture. Pomegranate molasses is a great addition for those who like a sweet and sour profile.

Nutrition per serving

• Main Course
• Stuffed Vegetables
• Healthy
• Baked
• Middle Eastern
• Dinner