Whole30 Koussa Mehchi

Elevate your dinner game with Whole30 Koussa Mehchi, a vibrant, flavor-packed rendition of the classic Middle Eastern stuffed zucchini dish, reimagined to align with Whole30 dietary guidelines. Tender, hollowed-out zucchinis are generously stuffed with a fragrant blend of seasoned ground beef, cinnamon, allspice, fresh parsley, and delicate pine nuts, making every bite a perfect balance of savory and aromatic. The zucchinis are simmered in a tangy mix of olive oil, lemon juice, and tomato-infused broth, ensuring a melt-in-your-mouth texture that's as satisfying as it is wholesome. Ready in just over an hour, this gluten-free, dairy-free dish is perfect for meal prep or an impressive weeknight dinner. Serve these nutrient-rich delights warm and drizzle with the flavorful cooking liquid for an irresistible Whole30-approved meal that the whole family will love!

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 8 medium zucchini
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large, finely chopped onion
• 4 minced garlic cloves
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 cups water
• 0.25 cup, chopped fresh parsley
• 0.25 cup pine nuts
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions

Step 1

Begin by preparing the zucchini. Cut off the tops and carefully hollow out the insides using a vegetable corer or a small spoon, leaving about 1/4 inch of the shell intact. Be careful not to pierce through the outer skin. Set the hollowed zucchinis aside.

Step 2

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for another 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking up any lumps, until the beef is browned and cooked through, about 8 minutes.

Step 5

Add the ground cinnamon, ground allspice, salt, and black pepper to the browned beef. Stir to combine, and then remove the skillet from heat.

Step 6

Stir in the tomato paste, chopped parsley, and pine nuts into the beef mixture. Mix well to ensure everything is evenly distributed.

Step 7

Carefully stuff each zucchini with the beef mixture, packing it gently but firmly, leaving a little space at the top as the filling may expand slightly during cooking.

Step 8

In a large saucepan or pot, arrange the stuffed zucchinis upright, and do not overcrowd.

Step 9

Mix the water with the remaining olive oil and lemon juice. Pour this mixture over the stuffed zucchinis.

Step 10

Place a small, heatproof plate on top of the zucchinis to keep them submerged during cooking.

Step 11

Bring the liquid to a simmer over medium-high heat. Then, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and cook for 30-40 minutes until the zucchinis are tender and the flavors have melded.

Step 12

Carefully remove the zucchinis from the pot and serve warm. Spoon some of the cooking liquid over each serving for extra flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2882.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1921.2

Total Fat 137.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 39.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 14.2g
Cholesterol 321.1mg	0%
Sodium 2821.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 94.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 26.9g	0%
Total Sugars 56.9g
Protein 106.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 500.3mg	0%
Iron 18.5mg	0%
Potassium 6466.6mg	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: 60.6%

Protein: 20.9%

Carbs: 18.5%