Cousa Mashi Arabic Stuffed Zucchini

Delight in the comforting flavors of the Middle East with Cousa Mashi, a traditional Arabic stuffed zucchini dish that's as visually stunning as it is delicious. Tender zucchini is expertly hollowed and filled with a fragrant mixture of short-grain rice, seasoned ground beef or lamb, warm cinnamon, allspice, and fresh mint for an optional aromatic twist. Simmered to perfection in a rich and tangy tomato sauce infused with garlic and olive oil, this recipe strikes the perfect balance of hearty and light. Perfect as a centerpiece for family dinners or special gatherings, Cousa Mashi is best served warm with a dollop of creamy yogurt or soft pita bread to soak up the luscious sauce. Easy to make yet full of authentic flavor, this one-pot dish is a brilliant way to bring the tastes of Arabic cuisine to your table.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:45 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:105 mins

Servings: 5

Ingredients

• 10 Zucchini (small to medium sized)
• 1 cup Short-grain rice
• 250 grams Ground beef or lamb
• 3 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 2 cups Tomato (pureed)
• 3 cups Water or chicken stock
• 0.5 teaspoons Cinnamon
• 1 teaspoons Allspice
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoons Black pepper
• 2 Garlic cloves (minced)
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Fresh mint (finely chopped, optional)

Directions

Step 1

Wash the zucchinis thoroughly and use a zucchini corer to hollow them out, being careful not to puncture the sides or bottom. Set aside.

Step 2

Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then drain well.

Step 3

In a mixing bowl, combine the rice, ground meat, 1 teaspoon salt, 0.5 teaspoon black pepper, 0.5 teaspoon cinnamon, 0.5 teaspoon allspice, and chopped fresh mint (if using). Mix well to create the stuffing.

Step 4

Stuff each hollowed zucchini with the rice and meat mixture, leaving about 1 cm of space at the top to allow the rice to expand during cooking. Do not overfill.

Step 5

In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.

Step 6

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute, then add the pureed tomatoes and 3 cups of water or chicken stock. Season the sauce with the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt, 0.5 teaspoon of black pepper, and 0.5 teaspoon of allspice. Bring to a gentle boil.

Step 7

Carefully place the stuffed zucchinis into the pot, arranging them so they fit snugly. The sauce should cover the zucchinis or come up to at least 3/4 of their height. Add more water or stock if necessary.

Step 8

Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 50-60 minutes, or until the zucchinis are tender and the rice filling is fully cooked.

Step 9

Gently remove the zucchinis from the sauce and arrange them on a serving platter. Spoon the tomato sauce over the zucchinis.

Step 10

Serve the Cousa Mashi warm with a side of yogurt or pita bread, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3710.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1673.3

Total Fat 86.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 25.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 200mg	0%
Sodium 5135.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 167.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 30.7g	0%
Total Sugars 76.7g
Protein 81.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 543.7mg	0%
Iron 19.1mg	0%
Potassium 7831.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 43.9%

Protein: 18.4%

Carbs: 37.7%