Stuffed Zucchini Courgettes

These stuffed zucchinis, also known as "Mahshi" are a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables and are also allergy friendly. Stuffed with spiced meat and cooked slowly in a flavorful tomato broth, these are always a hit in our home.

The traditional Mediterranean version "Mahshi" is made by mixing rice into your meat then slow cooked for an hour. This recipe is Ketogenic Friendly so I will be making it without rice.

You'll need:

Filling:

1 lb Ground Beef

10 to 12 sm Courgettes/Zucchini

2 tsp Arabic All Spice

1 tbsp Garlic/Ginger Paste

Salt/Pepper (to taste)

1 tbsp Harissa (or red pepper powder to taste)

1/4 lg Onion (chopped)

1 sm Tomato (chopped)

1 tbsp Parsley (chopped)

1tsp Dry Mint

1/2 Lemon (juiced)

Broth:

3 to 4 cups Chicken Broth (click here for my recipe)

1 tbsp Tomato Paste

Olive Oil

Salt/Pepper (to taste)

1 Bay Leaf

Click on the pictures for a step by step guide.

Method:

-Mix all the meat filling ingredients except the Zucchinis and set aside.

-Now using a scooper or knife cut the tips off the zucchini and hallow out the insides. (You can find a hallow tool from any middle eastern store but again a scooper or knife will work as well.)

-Chop the insides of the zucchini you pulled out and add it to your filling

-Give everything a good mix then stuff your hallowed zucchinis.

**At this point if you wanted to add rice, quinoa or couscous to the mixture, you can. (1/4 cup is all you need)

**Extra filling leftover? Freeze it for another day or turn them into kabobs :)

-Bring your broth ingredients to a boil then add your stuffed courgettes.

-Cover and put the heat on low and let simmer for 30 minutes, flipping halfway.

**If rice or grain is added just double the cooking time.

-Pull your cooked courgettes out and reduce liquid further to make a thick gravy.

-Once it's thickened to your desired consistency pour over stuffed zucchini and serve.