Gemista

Gemista, a traditional Greek dish, features vibrant vegetables stuffed with a hearty mixture of rice, herbs, and spices, making it a comforting and satisfying vegan meal. This colorful dish is often enjoyed in the summer months when vegetables are at their peak freshness.

Ingredients

• Bell peppers - 2 medium
• Zucchini - 1 medium
• Tomatoes - 2 medium
• Long-grain rice - 100 grams
• Onion - 1 small, finely chopped
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Fresh parsley - 2 tablespoons, chopped
• Fresh dill - 1 tablespoon, chopped
• Olive oil - 3 tablespoons
• Vegetable broth - 250 ml
• Salt - 1 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
• Cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon
• Pine nuts - 30 grams (optional)

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Prepare the vegetables by cutting the tops off the bell peppers and zucchini, and hollowing them out. Reserve the tops and flesh for later use.
3. In a medium saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Add the reserved vegetable flesh (from the peppers and zucchini), rice, parsley, dill, salt, black pepper, and cinnamon. Stir well to combine and cook for another 2 minutes.
5. Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. Cover and reduce heat to low, cooking for about 15 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid.
6. While the rice is cooking, lightly brush the hollowed-out vegetables with the remaining olive oil and place them in a baking dish.
7. Once the rice mixture is ready, fold in the pine nuts (if using) and fill each vegetable with the rice mixture, packing it in gently.
8. Replace the tops of the vegetables and cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
9. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the tops to brown slightly. Serve warm.

Nutrition

• Calories: 350
• Protein: 8 g
• Carbs: 55 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Water: 0.2 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in vitamins and minerals from fresh vegetables.
• High in fiber, promoting digestive health.
• Contains healthy fats from olive oil and pine nuts.

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