Koussa Mahshi (Lebanese Stuffed Zucchini in Tomato Sauce)
Local name: كوسا محشي
In short: Small zucchini hollowed and filled with spiced lamb and rice, then simmered in a garlicky tomato sauce with dried mint until tender. It takes about 2 h 10 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 1 h
- Cook
- 1 h 10 min
- Total
- 2 h 10 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 285 kcal
Koussa mahshi is a Lebanese home-cooking classic: pale green zucchini hollowed with a corer, stuffed with lamb, rice and allspice and cooked in a tomato sauce brightened with garlic and dried mint. The zucchini turn silky, the rice swells inside and the sauce is made for mopping with bread. It is often served with plain yogurt. Look for small, straight zucchini, which hold the stuffing best.
Instructions
- Trim the stem ends of the zucchini. With a zucchini corer or a thin knife and spoon, hollow each one, leaving walls about 5 mm (1/4 in) thick. Save the pulp for another use.
- Mix the meat, rice, 1 tbsp olive oil, parsley, salt, allspice, cinnamon and pepper. Spoon the filling into each zucchini until it is only two-thirds full, leaving room for the rice to swell.
- For the sauce, cook the onion in 2 tbsp olive oil for 5 minutes until soft. Add the garlic and tomato paste for 1 minute, then the crushed tomatoes, hot water and salt. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Line a wide pot with the tomato slices. Lay the zucchini on top in one tight layer and pour the sauce over them. Set a heatproof plate on top to keep them submerged.
- Bring to a simmer, cover and cook on low heat for 45 to 50 minutes, until the zucchini and rice are tender and the meat is cooked through (71°C / 160°F).
- Stir the dried mint and lemon juice into the sauce, simmer 5 minutes and rest for 10 minutes. Serve warm with plain yogurt and bread.
Tips
- Fill the zucchini only two-thirds full, because the rice expands as it cooks. Save the scooped pulp and cook it with onion and eggs for a quick omelet.
- Line the pot with tomato slices to protect the base, pack the zucchini snugly and weigh them with a plate so they stay in the sauce and do not burst.
Questions and answers
Can I stuff other vegetables the same way?
Yes. The same filling and sauce work for eggplant, small bell peppers and tomatoes. Adjust the cooking time for tougher vegetables such as peppers.
Can I freeze koussa mahshi?
Yes, for up to 2 months in some of the sauce. Thaw overnight and reheat gently on the stove.
What do you serve with koussa mahshi?
Plain yogurt and bread, or rice with vermicelli. A fresh salad such as tabbouleh or cucumbers with mint balances it.
How long does it take to make Koussa Mahshi (Lebanese Stuffed Zucchini in Tomato Sauce)?
About 2 h 10 min in total: 1 h of preparation and 1 h 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Koussa Mahshi (Lebanese Stuffed Zucchini in Tomato Sauce)?
About 285 kcal per serving, with 14 g of protein, 26 g of carbohydrates and 14 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 285 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 14 g |
| Carbohydrates | 26 g |
| Fat | 14 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 10 g |
| Sodium | 800 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
