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Food & Wine Recipe

Spiced-Lamb-Stuffed Zucchini

Contributed by and
  • ACTIVE: 30 MIN
  • TOTAL TIME: 1 HR 15 MIN
  • SERVINGS: 4
  • MAKE-AHEAD

This recipe, also adapted from one by Mohammed Antabli, is called kussa mehshi in Arabic. Cooks stuff zucchini shells with a mix of tender cumin-spiced ground lamb and rice, then braise them on a bed of sliced ...

  1. 4 medium zucchini (2 1/4 pounds)
  2. 1/2 cup short-grain rice, such as arborio, soaked for 20 minutes and drained
  3. 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
  4. 1/2 pound ground lamb
  5. 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
  6. 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
  7. 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  8. Salt and freshly ground pepper
  9. 1 1/4 cups water
  10. 1 pound tomatoes, sliced 1/4 inch thick
  1. Halve the zucchini lengthwise and scoop out the flesh, leaving 1/4-inch-thick shells. Reserve 1 cup of the zucchini flesh and finely chop it.
  2. In a large bowl, mix the drained rice with the turmeric. Add the chopped zucchini, lamb, butter, cumin seeds, ground cumin and 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Using your hands, gently knead the mixture until blended. Add 1/4 cup of the water and knead until evenly moistened. Stuff the zucchini halves with the lamb filling.
  3. Line the bottom of a large, deep skillet with the tomato slices and season lightly with salt and pepper. Arrange the stuffed zucchini halves on top of the tomatoes in a single layer. Add the remaining 1 cup of water to the skillet and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over moderately low heat for about 25 minutes, until the lamb is cooked through and the rice is tender.
  4. Transfer the zucchini to a platter. Cook the tomatoes over high heat, mashing them, until thickened, about 4 minutes. Spoon the tomatoes over the zucchini and serve.
Make Ahead The zucchini can be prepared through Step 2 and refrigerated overnight. Bring to room temperature before proceeding. Serve With Plain Greek-style yogurt and warm pita.