Kousa Mahshi- Stuffed Zucchini, Authentic Lebanese Dish
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Recipe type: Main
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients
  • Middle Eastern Zucchini or Squash- 8
For making stuffing
  • Ground beef- less than ¼ kg
  • White short grain rice- ½ cup
  • Ground all spice- ½ tbsp
  • Ground black pepper- 1 tsp
  • Kabseh spice- 1 tsp, optional
  • Salt- 1½ tsp
For sauce
  • Tomato sauce- 1½ cups
  • Water- 4 cups
  • Ground all spice- 1 tsp
  • Salt- 1 tsp
  • Ground black pepper- ½ tsp
  • Garlic cloves- 6
Instructions
  1. For making this Middle Eastern or Mediterranean zucchini has to be used, it's shorter & wider than the American zucchini. Some even call this squash.
  2. For making a large batch you can double or triple the recipe.
  3. Wash the zucchinis well under running water.
  4. Cut the top stem part.
  5. Using a knife make a round cut on the top flesh.
  6. I used the back of the spoon to scoop out the zucchini flesh from the inside, create a hollow space to stuff the filling. Do leave some flesh at the bottom part.
  7. Keep them aside.
  8. In a bowl, add all the ingredients mentioned for making the stuffing.
  9. Ground beef or lamb can be used.
  10. Short grain white rice or even basmati rice can be used.
  11. For making Middle Eastern dishes, mild spice are added.
  12. Combine the stuffing well.
  13. Stuff the filling into the zucchini, I used the back of the spoon to stuff that way I was able to push the stuffing inside the zucchini.
  14. Arrange the stuffed zucchinis in a medium sized saucepan.
  15. Add tomato sauce, water, ground all spice, salt, ground pepper & garlic cloves.
  16. Ensure to cover the zucchinis with the liquid, add more water if required.
  17. Place the saucepan over medium high heat & let the liquid come to a boil.
  18. Close the saucepan with the lid.
  19. Reduce the heat to medium & cook covered for 45 minutes.
  20. Don't cook over high heat.
  21. After 30 minutes, I opened the lid to check. If the sauce is getting too dry you can add ½ cup more warm water & again cook covered.
  22. I cooked for 45 minutes till the zucchinis have turned soft & the sauce has thickened.
  23. Take the pan off the heat & let rest for 15 minutes.
  24. Serve the stuffed zucchinis on a plate, pour some sauce over it & enjoy.
  25. The ground beef & rice stuffing, the tender zucchinis along with the flavourful tomato sauce, this dish tasted delicious & is a complete meal.
  26. You can also have pita bread or pita chips with this.
Notes
There will be some leftover stuffing, if you have grape leaves you can use the same stuffing & roll the leaves.
Or you can use the filling to stuff green & red peppers, small eggplants & cook in the tomato sauce.
Recipe by Cooking with Thas - Wholesome Homemade Recipes at https://thasneen.com/cooking/kousa-mahshi-stuffed-zucchini-authentic-lebanese-dish/