Kousa Mahshi Bil Asal

Kousa Mahshi Bil Asal is a delightful Lebanese dessert made from zucchini stuffed with a sweet nut and rice mixture, then cooked in a fragrant syrup. This unique dessert showcases the beautiful balance of flavors in Middle Eastern cuisine.

Ingredients

• Zucchini - 2 medium-sized
• Short-grain rice - 100 grams (1/2 cup)
• Walnuts, finely chopped - 50 grams (1/2 cup)
• Sugar - 75 grams (1/3 cup)
• Ground cinnamon - 1 teaspoon
• Water - 240 milliliters (1 cup)
• Honey - 50 grams (1/4 cup)
• Rose water - 1 tablespoon
• Salt - a pinch

Steps

1. Wash the zucchinis and cut off the tops. Carefully hollow out the insides using a small spoon or a corer, creating enough space to fill them with the mixture.
2. In a bowl, combine the short-grain rice, finely chopped walnuts, sugar, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
3. Stuff each hollowed zucchini with the rice and nut mixture, leaving a little space at the top for the rice to expand during cooking.
4. In a pot, combine water, honey, and rose water. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
5. Carefully place the stuffed zucchinis into the pot. Cover and cook for about 30-40 minutes, until the zucchinis are tender and the rice is fully cooked.
6. Once done, remove the zucchinis from the pot and place them on a serving plate. Drizzle some of the cooking syrup over them before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 300
• Protein: 6 g
• Carbs: 60 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 10 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Water: 0.24 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in dietary fiber, promoting digestive health.
• Contains healthy fats from walnuts, supporting heart health.

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