Stuffed Zucchini with Minced Meat and Chickpeas (Sihil Mahsi)

Ingredients

• 6 medium zucchinis
• 250 grams ground beefInstead: lentils
• 1 large onion (finely chopped)
• 1/2 cup boiled chickpeas
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Vegetable oil for frying
• For the sauce: 1 cup warm water and 1 teaspoon tomato paste

Calories are an editor’s estimate per serving, not a lab measurement.

Method

1. 1

   Wash the zucchinis, gently scrape the skin, cut off the tops, and carefully core them.

2. 2

   Lightly fry the zucchinis in hot oil until they turn pale golden, then drain on paper towels.

3. 3

   In a separate pan, sauté the onion in olive oil until translucent, add the ground meat and cook until it releases and reabsorbs its juices.

4. 4

   Add salt, black pepper, tomato paste, and boiled chickpeas to the meat, sauté for a few more minutes, and set the filling aside.

5. 5

   Stuff the fried zucchinis with the meat and chickpea mixture and arrange them in a wide pot.

6. 6

   Mix warm water and tomato paste for the sauce, pour it around the zucchinis, and simmer on low heat for about 25 minutes until tender.

Note. Be careful not to over-fry the zucchinis so they do not fall apart when stuffing.