Koussa Mehchi

Delight your taste buds with the comforting flavors of Koussa Mehchi, a traditional Middle Eastern dish of stuffed zucchini simmered in a rich, tangy tomato sauce. This recipe combines tender, hollowed-out zucchinis with a savory filling of ground beef or lamb, aromatic allspice and cinnamon, and fluffy long-grain rice, creating a perfect balance of warm spices and fresh herbs like parsley. The slow-cooked tomato sauce, enhanced with a touch of lemon juice, adds depth and a refreshing acidity to the dish. Perfect for family dinners or special gatherings, this hearty, one-pot recipe is as satisfying as it is flavorful. Serve it with crusty bread or a simple salad for a wholesome and authentic meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:45 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:105 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 8 zucchini (medium-sized)
• 250 g ground beef or lamb
• 100 g long grain rice
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 30 g fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 400 ml tomato puree
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp ground allspice
• 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 500 ml water
• 2 tbsp lemon juice

Directions

Step 1

Wash and hollow out the zucchini using a corer, making sure not to pierce through the skin. Set aside.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef or lamb, rice, onion, garlic, parsley, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, allspice, cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of salt, and half a teaspoon of black pepper. Mix well until thoroughly combined.

Step 3

Stuff each zucchini with the meat and rice mixture, leaving a little space at the top for the rice to expand during cooking.

Step 4

In a large pot, heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat. Add tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Step 5

Pour in tomato puree, water, and remaining salt and pepper. Stir well and bring to a simmer.

Step 6

Add the stuffed zucchini to the tomato sauce carefully, ensuring they are mostly submerged.

Step 7

Cover the pot and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 50-60 minutes, or until zucchini is tender and the rice is cooked through.

Step 8

Once cooked, add lemon juice to the sauce and gently stir.

Step 9

Serve the stuffed zucchini with some of the tomato sauce and enjoy.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3107.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1891.8

Total Fat 99.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 28.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 200mg	0%
Sodium 5164.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 190.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 34.1g	0%
Total Sugars 70.7g
Protein 83.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 551.1mg	0%
Iron 22.1mg	0%
Potassium 7618.3mg	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: 45.0%

Protein: 16.7%

Carbs: 38.3%