Editor's note: This recipe is adapted from Magda el-Mehdawy's book My Egyptian Grandmother's Kitchen. Mehdawy also shared some helpful tips exclusively with Epicurious, which we've added at the bottom of the page.
To read more about Mehdawy and Egyptian cuisine, click here.
Stuffed vegetables are much loved by Egyptians, and some version of this versatile side dish (stuffed eggplants, peppers, zucchini, and tomatoes are the most popular) will be found at most big, family-style meals and on every restaurant menu. The idea is probably Persian in origin, and has universal appeal. One enormous benefit is that stuffed vegetables are also delicious served at room temperature or cold.
Egyptian zucchini are small and slender, averaging about 6-8 inches in length and about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. But this recipe works just as well with the larger Western vegetables.
Ghee is available at Middle Eastern markets and by mail order from Kalustyan's (212-685-3451).
Recipe information
Yield
Makes 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Step 2
In small saucepan over high heat, combine rice and 1/2 cup water. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, until water is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
Step 3
In medium skillet over moderately high heat, heat oil until hot but not smoking. Add beef and sauté, stirring occasionally and breaking up large lumps with wooden spoon, until meat is browned, about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Step 4
Using apple corer or small melon-ball cutter and working from both ends, hollow out each zucchini, removing all seeds and leaving shells about 1/3 inch thick. Discard pulp and seeds. Place zucchini in large bowl and add 6 cups cold water and 2 tablespoons salt. Soak 15 minutes, then rinse, pat dry, and set aside.
Step 5
Cut shallow X through skin at bottom of each tomato. Bring medium pot of water to boil. Fill medium bowl with cold water and place on work surface near pot. Working in batches, add tomatoes to boiling water and cook 30 seconds to blanch. Using slotted spoon, transfer each batch to cold water to cool quickly. Using small sharp knife as aid and starting at X on bottom, pull skin off tomatoes. Cut tomatoes in half; remove and discard seeds. Cut tomatoes into small dice.
Step 6
In large bowl, combine rice, beef, and tomatoes. Mix in pepper and remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Using small spoon, stuff 4 tablespoons of mixture into each zucchini.
Step 7
Arrange zucchini in nonstick baking pan or ovenproof dish. Pour tomato juice over. Drizzle with ghee and bake 30 minutes, or until knife slides in easily and sauce is thickened. Serve hot.
