Mehshi / Stuffed Zucchini
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 mini zucchini(3lb), about 12 small one
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
Stuffing:
- 300g ground beef
- 1 cup chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon 7 spices (Arabic spices)
- 1 tablespoon salt
Cooking liquid:
- 1/4 cup pomegranate molasses
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon 7 spices
- 1 teaspoon salt
- add eater to cover the courgette in the cooking pot
Rice:
- 1 Tablespoon butter (or vegetable oil)
- 1 cup rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
Garlic yogurt:
- 3 garlic cloves
- 2 cups yogurt
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup water
Directions:
For the Mehshi:
- Carve the zucchini (save the insides to do Ejjeh), with a special tool that you can find in Arabic grocery store or order it online.
- Mix the stuffing ingredients well.
- Stuff the carved zucchini with the stuffing mix, pushing down gently with the pinking finger. fill the zucchini to the top.
- Place the zucchini on an oven sheet, brush it with vegetable oil to cover.
- Put it in preheated oven on 350 for 35-40 minutes. Then on broil for 5 minutes (keep close eye on the zucchini in this stage to avoid burning them).
- Transfer the zucchini to a cooking pot, in a small bowl mix the cooking liquid. Add it to the pot, then add water to cover the zucchini.
- Bring it to a boil, lower the heat. Let it simmer for 30 mins.
Rice:
- Wash and rinse the rice.
- In a pot, melt the butter then sauté the rice for few minutes.
- Add the water and salt, bring to a boil.
- Lower the heat, cover and let it simmer for 20 mins. Check for doneness.
Garlic yogurt:
In a medium bowl, add the smashed garlic, mix it with yogurt, salt and water
Plating:
Layers in order: rice, mehshi, yogurt.
Garnish it with parsley.
Serve it with:
- Bell pepper, or hot long pepper
- Radishes