Description
Kousa Mahchi- Beef stuffed squash in a tomato sauce broth.
Ingredients
Scale
- 15 small Lebanese zucchini, washed and drained
- 8 oz tomato sauce or 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tsp salt, or to taste
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup medium grain rice, washed and drained
- 1/2 lb lean ground beef
- 2 large ripe tomatoes, cut into pieces
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp butter, softened
Instructions
- Step: Wash and dry the zucchinis, cut off the stalks and slice off the dried tips at the opposite end without removing too much flesh.
- Step: Carefully hollow out the zucchini using a corer, inserting it about 3/4 of the way in without poking through the bottom.
- Step: Pulse the cut pieces of tomatoes in a food processor until well blended.
- Step: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly mix the rice, ground beef, butter, blended tomatoes, spices, and salt until fully combined.
- Step: Stuff the zucchini with the beef mixture, leaving half an inch free at the top for expansion.
- Step: Arrange the stuffed zucchinis in a large pot and add enough water to slightly cover them.
- Step: Cover the pot, place on medium-high heat, and bring to a boil.
- Step: Reduce heat to medium-low and add the tomato sauce or tomato paste.
- Step: Cover and simmer for 45 minutes or until the zucchini is tender and the rice is fully cooked.
- Step: Taste the sauce, adjust salt if needed, and transfer to a serving plate.
Notes
If you have stuffing mixture left over, you can store it in the freezer for future use.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Entrées
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Lebanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 1057 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 44 mg