Simple Recipe for Kousa Mahshi (stuffed zucchini)

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey reduces fat while maintaining flavor.

zucchini

🥗Healthier: yellow squash

💰Cheaper: eggplant

Yellow squash has a similar texture and flavor.

pine nuts

🥗Healthier: sunflower seeds

💰Cheaper: chopped almonds

Sunflower seeds provide a nutty flavor at a lower cost.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil is healthier with a similar cooking profile.

Soak the rice with warm water and set it aside.

Cut the tips and ends off each zucchini.

Core the zucchini carefully without puncturing a hole through the end.

Use a circular motion to dig out the insides of the zucchini.

Keep the insides of the zucchini for another recipe.

Add the soaked rice to a bowl followed by the saffron strain until the rice turns yellow.

Add ground meat and all the spices to the bowl, mixing to taste.

Add about 1/2 a mug of olive oil to ensure the filling is moist.

Stuff the zucchini with the filling, tapping them on the table to ensure there are no empty spaces.

Add tomato paste and lemon juice to the pot.

Cover the zucchini with water and heat on high until boiling.

Cover and reduce heat to medium, cooking for about an hour, checking occasionally to add water if needed.

10 minutes before done, add minced garlic and dried mint.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: