Mahshi Koosa — Small Zucchini Stuffed with Ground Beef & Rice

Ingredients

• 8 small Small Zucchini
• 8 oz Ground Beef
• ¾ cup short-grain rice, rinsed
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1½ tsp seven-spice
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 3 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
• 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups stock
• 2 tbsp dried mint
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt and black pepper

Method

1. Cut the tops off the Small Zucchini and hollow them out with a corer or narrow spoon, leaving walls about ¼ inch thick. Go gently — puncture the side and the filling escapes into the pot.
2. Mix the raw rice with the Ground Beef, 1 tbsp of the tomato paste, seven-spice, cinnamon, oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Fill each shell only two-thirds full and tamp lightly. The rice swells, and a packed shell splits along its length.
4. Stand or lay them snugly in a pot, pour over the crushed tomatoes whisked with the stock, remaining tomato paste, and salt. The liquid should just cover them.
5. Cover and simmer gently 40–45 minutes until the rice inside is fully tender and the Small Zucchini yields to a spoon. Add the dried mint and lemon juice in the last 5 minutes.
6. Rest 10 minutes and serve two or three per plate with the pot sauce and a bowl of yogurt.