Shorbat Kousa Mahshi

Shorbat Kousa Mahshi is a comforting Lebanese soup featuring tender zucchini stuffed with a flavorful mixture of ground meat and spices, all simmered in a delicate broth. This low-carb dish is perfect for a light yet satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• Zucchini - 2 medium
• Ground beef or lamb - 150 grams
• Onion - 1 small, finely chopped
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Fresh parsley - 2 tablespoons, chopped
• Tomato paste - 1 tablespoon
• Cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon
• Allspice - 1/2 teaspoon
• Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon
• Chicken or vegetable broth - 500 ml
• Olive oil - 1 tablespoon
• Lemon juice - 1 tablespoon

Steps

1. Wash the zucchinis and cut off the tops, then using a small knife or corer, hollow out the insides, leaving about 1 cm thick walls.
2. In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat, then add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until soft and fragrant.
3. Add the ground beef or lamb to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon.
4. Stir in the tomato paste, cinnamon, allspice, salt, pepper, and chopped parsley, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until well combined.
5. Stuff each hollowed zucchini with the meat mixture, pressing down gently to pack it in.
6. In a large pot, heat the chicken or vegetable broth until boiling, then carefully place the stuffed zucchinis into the pot.
7. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pot, and cook for about 25 minutes, or until the zucchinis are tender.
8. Once cooked, remove the pot from heat and drizzle with lemon juice before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 300
• Protein: 25 g
• Carbs: 10 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Cholesterol: 70 mg
• Total Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• Low in carbohydrates, making it suitable for low-carb diets.
• Rich in protein from the meat and nutrients from the zucchini.

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