Kousa Mahshi Bil Samak

Kousa Mahshi Bil Samak is a delightful Lebanese dish featuring zucchini stuffed with a flavorful seafood mixture, offering a perfect balance of fresh ingredients and spices. This vegetarian adaptation showcases the essence of Lebanese cuisine with a light, aromatic touch.

Ingredients

• Zucchini - 2 medium-sized
• Cooked quinoa - 100 grams
• Fresh parsley - 30 grams, chopped
• Fresh mint - 15 grams, chopped
• Cherry tomatoes - 100 grams, diced
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Red onion - 50 grams, finely chopped
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Lemon juice - 1 tablespoon
• Salt - 1 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
• Ground cumin - 1/2 teaspoon
• Ground coriander - 1/2 teaspoon
• Feta cheese - 50 grams, crumbled
• Water - 500 milliliters

Steps

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Wash the zucchini and cut off the tops, then scoop out the insides with a small spoon, creating a hollow shell.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, chopped parsley, mint, diced cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, finely chopped red onion, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, ground cumin, and ground coriander. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
4. Gently fold in the crumbled feta cheese into the mixture.
5. Stuff the hollowed zucchinis with the quinoa and seafood mixture, pressing down lightly to fill them properly.
6. Place the stuffed zucchinis in a baking dish and pour the water around them to create steam during cooking.
7. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
8. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the zucchinis are tender and slightly golden on top.
9. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 320
• Protein: 12 g
• Carbs: 40 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Cholesterol: 20 mg
• Total Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in antioxidants from the vegetables and herbs.
• High in fiber, promoting digestive health.

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