Description
Kabak Dolmasi, or Turkish stuffed zucchini, features tender zucchinis filled with a fragrant mix of rice, ground beef, and herbs simmered in a spiced tomato sauce. This comforting Mediterranean dish is hearty, aromatic, and best enjoyed with cool yogurt on the side.
Ingredients
6 zucchinis (kusa)
1/2 cup short or medium-grain rice
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 cup parsley, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 lb ground beef
1 tbsp tomato paste
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp Aleppo pepper
1 tsp dried mint
2 tomatoes, cut into chunks
1 tbsp olive oil (for sauce)
2 tbsp tomato paste (for sauce)
1 tsp Aleppo pepper (for sauce)
1 tsp dried mint (for sauce)
2 cups boiling water
Yogurt, for serving
Instructions
- Cut the tops off the zucchinis and trim the ends so they stand upright. Hollow out the insides with an apple corer or small spoon, leaving sturdy walls.
- In a large bowl, combine rice, onion, parsley, green bell pepper, ground beef, tomato paste, olive oil, salt, black pepper, Aleppo pepper, and dried mint. Mix well with your hands until evenly combined.
- Loosely stuff each zucchini with the mixture, leaving about 1/2 inch of space at the top. Place a tomato chunk on each stuffed zucchini.
- Stand the zucchinis upright in a large pot.
- In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, tomato paste, Aleppo pepper, dried mint, and boiling water to make the sauce. Pour it over the zucchinis.
- Cover and cook over medium-high heat until simmering, about 20 minutes. Reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 1 to 1½ hours, or until zucchinis are tender and a knife slides in easily.
- Serve warm, topped with a spoonful of yogurt for a cool, creamy contrast.
Notes
Don’t overstuff zucchinis — rice expands while cooking.
For a vegetarian version, substitute mushrooms, lentils, or more vegetables for the beef.
Use lamb or turkey for a lighter variation.
Adjust spice by adding extra Aleppo pepper or chili flakes.
This dish freezes well — reheat in tomato sauce for best texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Turkish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed zucchini
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
