Vegetarian Cevapcici

Discover your new favorite plant-based delight with this irresistible Vegetarian Cevapcici recipe! A creative twist on the Balkan classic, this dish swaps out traditional meat for protein-packed lentils and nutty sunflower seeds, blended with vibrant red bell pepper, aromatic spices like paprika and cumin, and fresh parsley for a burst of flavor in every bite. Shaped into finger-friendly sausage-like portions and pan-fried to golden perfection, these vegetarian cevapcici offer a satisfying texture that pairs beautifully with warm pita bread, creamy yogurt dip, or your favorite zesty sauce. With just 30 minutes of prep time, this easy and wholesome dish is perfect for weeknight dinners or a standout item on your next mezze platter. Healthy, customizable, and packed with flavor, it’s a surefire way to elevate your plant-based menu!

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Lentils
• 2 cups Water
• 1 medium Onion
• 3 Garlic cloves
• 1 Red bell pepper
• 0.5 cup Sunflower seeds
• 1 cup Breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup All-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon Ground paprika
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 cup Chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the lentils under cold water and add them to a pot with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until lentils are tender. Drain any excess water.

Step 2

Finely chop the onion, garlic, and red bell pepper.

Step 3

In a food processor, combine the cooked lentils, chopped onion, garlic, red bell pepper, and sunflower seeds. Pulse until well mixed but slightly chunky in texture.

Step 4

Transfer the lentil mixture to a large mixing bowl. Stir in the breadcrumbs, all-purpose flour, ground paprika, ground cumin, ground black pepper, and salt.

Step 5

Add the chopped parsley and mix well until all ingredients are combined. If the mixture feels too sticky, add more breadcrumbs as needed.

Step 6

With wet hands, shape the mixture into small sausage-like portions, about the size of your palm.

Step 7

In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.

Step 8

Place the vegetarian cevapcici in the skillet, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until each side is golden brown and heated through.

Step 9

Serve hot, garnished with additional parsley, and enjoy with pita bread, yogurt dip, or your favorite sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1227.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1621.1

Total Fat 82.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 10.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 45.6g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4509.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 188.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 33.6g	0%
Total Sugars 24.8g
Protein 53.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 342.2mg	0%
Iron 20.4mg	0%
Potassium 2269.0mg	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: 43.4%

Protein: 12.5%

Carbs: 44.1%