Lebanese Stuffed Zucchini

Step 1

Wash and dry the zucchinis, cut off the stalks and slice off the dried tips at the opposite end without removing too much flesh.

Step 2

Carefully hollow out the zucchini. Start from the stalk end by inserting your corer about 3/4 of the way into the zucchini, making sure not to poke the bottoms or the tender skin of the zucchinis. Twist the corer and pull out the zucchini flesh. Do this a few times, until you have a generous cavity.

Step 3

Set cored zucchini aside.

Step 4

In your food processor, add the cut pieces of tomatoes and pulse a few times until well blended.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly mix the stuffing ingredients of rice, ground beef, butter, fresh blended tomatoes, spices and salt until fully combined (I do this by hand).

Step 6

Using your hands stuff the zucchini with the beef mixture, leaving half of an inch free at the top to allow the filling to expand.

Step 7

Repeat for the rest of the hollowed zucchini.

Step 8

Arrange the stuffed zucchinis in a large pot, add water, just enough to slightly cover the zucchinis.

Step 9

Cover the pot, place on medium-high heat, and bring water to a boil.

Step 10

Reduce heat to medium- low, add tomato sauce or tomato paste, or both ( depending on how thick you like you sauce to be).

Step 11

Cover the pot and simmer for 45 minutes or until the zucchini is tender and the rice stuffing is fully cooked.

Step 12

Taste the sauce and adjust salt if you'd like.

Step 13

Transfer to a serving plate, serve and enjoy!