Bosanski Šogan sa Tikvicama (Bosnian Stuffed Onions with Zucchini)
A delightful vegetarian dish where sweet, tender onions are hollowed out and stuffed with a savory mixture of grated zucchini, rice, herbs, and spices, then baked in a light tomato sauce. It's a comforting and flavorful representation of Bosnian home cooking.
🧂 Ingredients
- 4 medium-large Large yellow onions(about 4-5 inches in diameter)
- 500 g Zucchini(grated)
- 150 g Rice(uncooked, short-grain or medium-grain)
- 0.5 cup Fresh parsley(chopped)
- 0.25 cup Fresh dill(chopped)
- 2 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 500 ml Water or vegetable broth
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 0.5 tsp Optional: Pinch of dried mint
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Peel the onions, leaving the root end intact. Cut off the top 1/2 inch of each onion and carefully hollow out the center with a spoon or melon baller, leaving about a 1/2-inch thick shell. Reserve the scooped-out onion flesh.
💡 Tip: Do not discard the scooped-out onion flesh; it will be used in the filling. - 2
Finely chop the reserved onion flesh. In a bowl, combine the grated zucchini, uncooked rice, chopped reserved onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, chopped dill, 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, salt, pepper, and optional mint. Mix well.
💡 Tip: Squeeze out excess moisture from the grated zucchini before adding it to the filling. - 3
Stuff the hollowed-out onion shells generously with the zucchini and rice mixture. Pack it in, but don't overstuff, as the rice will expand.
- 4
In a baking dish large enough to hold the stuffed onions snugly, whisk together the water or broth, remaining 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, tomato paste, salt, and pepper. Place the stuffed onions upright in the baking dish.
💡 Tip: Ensure the liquid comes about halfway up the sides of the onions. - 5
Cover the baking dish tightly with foil. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 30 minutes, or until the onions are tender and the rice is cooked through and the liquid has mostly been absorbed.
💡 Tip: Check for doneness by piercing an onion with a fork; it should be easily pierced. - 6
Let the stuffed onions rest for a few minutes before serving. Spoon some of the sauce from the baking dish over each onion.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can add a small amount of finely chopped mushrooms to the filling.
- ✓If you prefer a saucier dish, increase the amount of water or broth.
- ✓This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated gently.
🔄 Variations
- Add a tablespoon of nutritional yeast to the filling for a cheesy flavor.
- Incorporate a small amount of cooked lentils into the filling for added protein.