Yalla Market
Vegetarian Stuffed Zucchini (Kousa Mahshi) Recipe
⏱ 60 mins
Medium
4 servings
Ah, Kousa Mahshi! What a wonderful choice, my friend! Stuffed zucchini is a true gem of Middle Eastern cuisine, comforting, flavorful, and so satisfying. It's perfect as a hearty snack or a delightful light meal. This recipe is a classic, with tender zucchini embracing a fragrant rice filling, all simmered in a rich tomato sauce. Let's get cooking!
Ingredients
- Zucchini
- Basmati Rice Buy: Ebuveys Basmati Rice · ₺609.99
- Onion Buy: Onion Powder · ₺55.99
- Garlic Buy: Garlic Marinated Chicken · ₺149.99
- Tat Tomato Paste Buy: Tat Tomato Paste Large · ₺88.99
- Biryağ Sunflower Oil Buy: Biryağ Sunflower Oil Large · ₺299.99
- Haimi Pepper Spice Buy: Haimi Pepper Spice · ₺105.99
- Salt Buy: Salt · ₺29.99
- Black Pepper Buy: Ground Black Pepper · ₺89.99
Preparation
- Wash the zucchini thoroughly. Trim the ends and carefully core out the inside flesh, leaving about a 1/2-inch thick shell. Be gentle not to break the zucchini.
- In a bowl, wash the Basmati rice until the water runs clear. Drain well. Finely dice the onion and mince the garlic.
- Add the washed rice, diced onion, minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of Tat Tomato Paste, 1 tablespoon of Biryağ Sunflower Oil, 1/2 teaspoon of Haimi Pepper Spice, salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Mix everything together until well combined.
- Carefully stuff each zucchini with the rice mixture, filling it about three-quarters full. The rice will expand during cooking, so don't overstuff.
- Arrange the stuffed zucchini snugly in a large pot, either standing upright or lying down in layers.
- In a separate bowl, mix the remaining Tat Tomato Paste with about 3-4 cups of water, adding salt, black pepper, and the remaining Haimi Pepper Spice to taste. Stir until the paste is fully dissolved.
- Pour the tomato sauce over the stuffed zucchini in the pot, ensuring they are almost completely submerged. If needed, add a little more water.
- Place a heat-proof plate on top of the zucchini to keep them submerged during cooking. Bring the liquid to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 45-60 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender and the rice is fully cooked.
- Carefully remove the plate and serve your delicious Kousa Mahshi warm. Enjoy every comforting bite!
- Approximate nutrition per serving (2 stuffed zucchinis): Calories: 280 kcal, Protein: 6g, Carbs: 45g, Fat: 10g.
Pro Tips
- When coring the zucchini, you can use a special zucchini corer or a small spoon. Be careful not to pierce through the skin!
- For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of dried mint to the rice filling or the sauce if you have some on hand.
- If you prefer a richer sauce, you can sauté the diced onion and garlic before adding them to the rice mixture.