Hungarian Stuffed Zucchini (Töltött Cukkini)
Tender zucchini halves filled with a savory mixture of ground pork, bread, onions, and seasoned with Hungarian paprika, then baked until tender. A comforting and flavorful main course.
🧂 Ingredients
- 4 medium Medium zucchinis(about 6-8 inches long)
- 400 g Ground pork
- 100 g Bread(stale bread, crusts removed)
- 1 medium Onion(finely diced)
- 1 large Egg
- 200 g Sour cream (Tejföl)(for topping)
- 1.5 tsp Sweet Hungarian paprika powder
- 1 tsp Dill(freshly chopped)
- 0.5 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.25 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground, or to taste)
- 1 tbsp Vegetable oil(for sautéing)
👨‍🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F). Lightly grease an ovenproof dish.
- 2
Soak the bread in a little water for a few minutes until softened. Squeeze out excess water.
- 3
Cut the zucchinis in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and some of the flesh with a tablespoon, leaving about a 1/2-inch thick shell. Finely chop the scooped-out zucchini flesh and set aside.
- 4
In a large bowl, combine the ground pork, squeezed bread, diced onion, the chopped zucchini flesh, egg, Hungarian paprika, dill, salt, and pepper. Mix well with your hands until thoroughly combined.
- 5
Spoon the meat mixture generously into the hollowed-out zucchini halves, pressing it down gently.
- 6
Place the stuffed zucchini halves cut-side up in the prepared ovenproof dish. Top each stuffed zucchini with a tablespoon of sour cream.
- 7
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender and the meat filling is cooked through and browned on top.
- 8
Let rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve hot.
đź’ˇ Pro Tips
- âś“Use slightly stale bread for the best texture in the filling.
- âś“Don't over-scoop the zucchini flesh, or the shells might break.
- âś“For a richer flavor, you can add a pinch of marjoram to the filling.
- âś“If you prefer a spicier dish, use hot Hungarian paprika or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
🔄 Variations
- Substitute ground beef or a mixture of pork and beef for the ground pork.
- Add finely chopped bell peppers or mushrooms to the filling for extra flavor and texture.
- Serve with a side of mashed potatoes or a simple green salad.