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Bosnian Stuffed Zucchini with Beef and Rice
Punjene Tikvice
A comforting and flavorful dish where zucchini are hollowed out and filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, rice, and aromatic spices, then simmered in a rich tomato sauce. This is a classic Balkan comfort food, often referred to as 'dolma' when vegetables are stuffed.
🧂 Ingrédients
- 6 Medium zucchini
- 500 g Ground beef
- 150 g Short-grain rice
- 1 medium Yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 Garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 400 ml Tomato sauce
- 500 ml Water or beef broth
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 1 tsp Optional: Vegeta or stock powder
- 1 tbsp Optional: Fresh dill, chopped
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the zucchini: Wash the zucchini, trim off the ends, and cut them into 4-5 cm (about 2-inch) thick pieces. Carefully hollow out each piece with a spoon or a melon baller, leaving about a 0.5 cm (1/4 inch) thick shell. Reserve the scooped-out zucchini flesh, finely chop it, and set aside.
💡 Conseils de pro: Be careful not to pierce through the bottom of the zucchini shells. - 2
Make the filling: In a bowl, combine the ground beef, rinsed short-grain rice, finely chopped yellow onion, minced garlic, chopped reserved zucchini flesh, chopped parsley, vegetable oil, salt, pepper, and optional Vegeta or stock powder. Mix everything thoroughly with your hands until well combined.
💡 Conseils de pro: Using short-grain rice helps create a creamier texture in the stuffing. - 3
Stuff the zucchini: Loosely fill each zucchini shell with the beef and rice mixture, about three-quarters of the way full. Do not overstuff, as the rice will expand during cooking.
💡 Conseils de pro: Leaving space for the rice to expand is crucial to prevent the zucchini from bursting. - 4
Prepare the sauce: In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the tomato sauce and water or beef broth. Add salt and pepper to taste.
💡 Conseils de pro: Using beef broth instead of water will add more depth of flavor. - 5
Arrange and cook: Carefully place the stuffed zucchini pieces, cut-side up, into the pot with the sauce. If you have extra filling, you can place it in the pot as well. Bring the liquid to a boil over medium-high heat.
💡 Conseils de pro: Ensure the zucchini are mostly submerged in the liquid. - 6
Simmer: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender and the rice is fully cooked. Check occasionally and add more liquid if needed.
💡 Conseils de pro: Cooking on low heat ensures the zucchini cooks through without becoming mushy. - 7
Serve: Serve the stuffed zucchini hot, with the sauce spooned over the top. It's often enjoyed with a side of yogurt or a simple salad.
💡 Conseils de pro: This dish can also be prepared in the oven by arranging the stuffed zucchini in a baking dish, pouring the sauce over them, covering with foil, and baking at 375°F (190°C) for about 1 hour.
💡 Conseils de pro
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can add a pinch of dried mint or a small amount of ground allspice to the filling.
- ✓If you prefer a spicier dish, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the tomato sauce.
- ✓The zucchini flesh that is scooped out can be finely chopped and added to the filling, or used in other dishes like fritters.
- ✓Some variations include adding a dollop of sour cream or yogurt on top when serving.
✨ Idées de variations
Inspiration pour votre propre version de cette recette
- Use ground lamb or a mix of beef and lamb for a different flavor profile.
- Add other finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers or carrots to the filling.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and increase the amount of rice and vegetables, or use lentils as a protein source.