Zucchini season has officially begun in the Pacific Northwest, and boy is it a successful one this year. The markets are full of this fine summer squash and I was recently gifted a zucchini from the family garden which is about the size of my torso. I needed to find something delicious to do with my bounty, and stuffed zucchini was just the thing.
This Turkish-influenced recipe looks and tastes impressive, but requires little effort to make aside from tossing a few things together and leaving it to cook. Of course since this is a Turkish recipe, my favorite spice blend to pair it with is Kofte Spice - the peppermint and savory are a refreshing addition on warm summer days. A filling dinner for three or a starter for 6, all you need is three medium sized zucchinis (or one monster one).
Hollow out zucchini to make “boats”.In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, cook onions in olive oil until soft Add pine nuts, currants, rice, and lemon juice, stirring well to combine. Then add sugar, salt and pepper, 1-1/2 cups water, cover and cook until water is absorbed.When rice is cooked, add the Kofte Spice to rice, and mix well. Fill each zucchini half with cooked rice and bake in oven at 350°F for 18 minutes, or until the zucchini is fork tender.
Garnish with chopped parsley and enjoy! You can also serve the zucchini chilled with some plain yogurt.
Flavor Alternatives
For a more complex filling, you can move slightly farther north in influence and use the Black Sea regional spice Khmeli Suneli.
Hollow out zucchini to make “boats”.In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, cook onions in olive oil until soft Add pine nuts, currants, rice, and lemon juice, stirring well to combine. Then add sugar, salt and pepper, 1-1/2 cups water, cover and cook until water is absorbed.When rice is cooked, add the Kofte Spice to rice, and mix well. Fill each zucchini half with cooked rice and bake in oven at 350°F for 18 minutes, or until the zucchini is fork tender.
Garnish with chopped parsley and enjoy! You can also serve the zucchini chilled with some plain yogurt.
Kofte Spice Stuffed Zucchini
Zucchini season has officially begun in the Pacific Northwest, and boy is it a successful one this year. The markets are full of this fine summer squash and I was recently gifted a zucchini from the family garden which is about the size of my torso. I needed to find something delicious to do with my bounty, and stuffed zucchini was just the thing.
This Turkish-influenced recipe looks and tastes impressive, but requires little effort to make aside from tossing a few things together and leaving it to cook. Of course since this is a Turkish recipe, my favorite spice blend to pair it with is Kofte Spice - the peppermint and savory are a refreshing addition on warm summer days. A filling dinner for three or a starter for 6, all you need is three medium sized zucchinis (or one monster one).
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