Halal Iraqi Stuffed Zucchini Dolmas

Delight your taste buds with the comforting flavors of Halal Iraqi Stuffed Zucchini Dolmas, a traditional dish that masterfully balances heartiness and spice. Hollowed-out zucchinis are filled with a fragrant mixture of perfectly seasoned halal ground beef, short-grain rice, and fresh parsley, infused with warm notes of cinnamon. Simmered to perfection in a tangy garlic-tomato sauce with a touch of lemon juice, these dolmas transform into tender bites of flavorful perfection. This one-pot meal is ideal for family dinners or special occasions, offering an authentic taste of Iraqi cuisine. Serve warm and drizzle generously with the rich, savory sauce for an unforgettable experience! Perfect keywords: stuffed zucchini recipe, halal dolmas, Iraqi cuisine, one-pot dinners, Middle Eastern flavors.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:45 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:105 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 8 pieces Medium zucchini
• 250 grams Ground beef (halal)
• 1 cup Short-grain rice
• 1 medium Yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 medium Tomato, finely chopped
• 3 cups Water
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 3 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced

Directions

Step 1

Wash the zucchinis thoroughly and slice off the tops to create a small 'lid'. Using a corer or small knife, carefully hollow out the zucchinis, leaving about 1/4-inch thick walls. Be careful not to puncture the sides. Keep the tops aside, as they will be used to cover the stuffed zucchinis.

Step 2

Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Set aside to drain.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, rice, finely chopped onion, parsley, 1 teaspoon of salt, black pepper, and ground cinnamon. Mix everything well until evenly combined. This will be the stuffing mixture.

Step 4

Gently stuff each hollowed-out zucchini with the filling mixture, leaving about 1/2 inch of space at the top to allow the rice to expand during cooking. Place the 'lid' of the zucchini back on each stuffed piece.

Step 5

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

Step 6

Stir in the tomato paste and chopped tomato. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, then add 3 cups of water, lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Bring the sauce to a gentle boil.

Step 7

Carefully arrange the stuffed zucchinis upright in the pot, ensuring they are snug and won't tip over. The sauce should come up about 3/4 of the way up the zucchinis; if needed, add a bit more water.

Step 8

Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the zucchinis simmer gently for about 1 hour, or until the zucchinis are tender and the rice is fully cooked.

Step 9

Once cooked, remove the zucchinis from the pot and let them cool slightly. Adjust the seasoning of the sauce if necessary.

Step 10

Serve the stuffed zucchinis warm with a generous drizzle of the tomato sauce over the top. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3122.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1466.2

Total Fat 78.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 24.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 165.9mg	0%
Sodium 5052.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 138.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 25.6g	0%
Total Sugars 54.7g
Protein 71.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 474.9mg	0%
Iron 13.6mg	0%
Potassium 5892.7mg	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: 45.6%

Protein: 18.5%

Carbs: 35.9%