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Kousa Mahshi (Stuffed Zucchini with Rice and Ground Beef) Recipe

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4.2 from 65 reviews

Kousa Mahshi is a traditional Middle Eastern dish featuring tender zucchini stuffed with a flavorful mixture of basmati rice, ground beef, herbs, and spices, all simmered in a rich tomato sauce. This comforting and aromatic recipe combines fresh ingredients and warm spices to create a hearty meal ideal for family gatherings or special occasions.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
  • Yield: 5 servings

Ingredients

Rice Mixture

  • 1 cup basmati rice
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley
  • 1/4 cup chopped mint
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt (part of the 3 teaspoons total)
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Zucchini and Sauce

  • 15 small zucchini (Mexican or Lebanese zucchini)
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 2 teaspoons salt (remaining part)
  • Water (enough to cover zucchini in pot)

Instructions

  1. Soak Rice: Add the basmati rice to a bowl and cover it with water. Let it soak while preparing the zucchini to soften and remove excess starch.
  2. Prepare Zucchini: Cut off the smaller end of each zucchini. Carefully core them using an apple corer or zucchini corer, leaving about 1/8 inch of flesh around the edges without piercing through, creating a hollow cavity for stuffing.
  3. Mix Filling: Drain the soaked rice and combine it with ground beef, diced tomatoes, chopped onion, parsley, mint, olive oil, cumin, black pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, paprika, coriander, and cinnamon in a bowl. Mix thoroughly with your hands or a spoon until all ingredients are well incorporated.
  4. Stuff Zucchini: Gently fill each hollowed zucchini with the meat and rice mixture. Do not pack tightly; leave about a 1/2 inch gap at the top to allow rice expansion during cooking.
  5. Arrange and Add Sauce: Place the stuffed zucchinis stacked on top of each other in a large pot. Pour tomato sauce over them, add the remaining 2 teaspoons of salt, and add enough water to fully cover the zucchinis.
  6. Weigh Down: Put a small plate on top of the stuffed zucchinis inside the pot to prevent them from floating or moving during cooking.
  7. Simmer: Cover the pot with a lid and place it over medium-high heat. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer gently for 50 minutes to 1 hour until the rice is tender and the beef is thoroughly cooked.
  8. Serve: Serve the Kousa Mahshi hot, optionally accompanied by a dollop of minted yogurt for added freshness and flavor.

Notes

  • Be careful when coring the zucchini to avoid creating holes; this helps keep the stuffing inside.
  • Do not overstuff the zucchini as rice expands during cooking.
  • Using a plate as a weight prevents the zucchini from floating and helps them cook evenly.
  • Minted yogurt is a traditional accompaniment that complements the spices in the dish.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or in the oven.
  • Author: Madelynn
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Find it online: https://allyumcooks.com/kousa-mahshi-stuffed-zucchini-with-rice-and-ground-beef-recipe/