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Stuffed grape leaves and zucchini

Servings 8

Ingredients

  • Ingredients
  • 8 zucchinis
  • 350 g grape leaves*
  • 2 tomatoes optional

Stuffing

  • 3 cups rice
  • 500 g minced meat
  • 1 tbsp ghee
  • 1.5 tsp Salma’s spice
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup water

For cooking

  • 3/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Water as needed

Instructions

  • Wash the zucchinis and remove the top. Using a squash corer, which is very similar to an apple corer, core the zucchinis carefully.
  • Wash thoroughly with water and set aside.
  • Prepare grape leaves. (see note below)
  • Mix all ingredients under stuffing together in a bowl.
  • Fill ¾ of each zucchini with the stuffing.
  • Take one grape leaf at a time, shiny side down, and add 1 to 2 tsp of the stuffing towards the stem of the leaf. (depending on the size of the leaf).
  • Fold both sides of the leaf towards the center and roll from the broad stem to the top.
  • Repeat until you finish all your stuffing. If you have any grape leaves left, they can be frozen.
  • Slice tomatoes into 4 thick slices, if using and place at the bottom of the pressure cooker. Tomatoes adds flavor and tanginess to the cooking juices.
  • Place grape leaves next to each other without leaving any gaps to form one layer.
  • Place all zucchinis in a single layer and then place the rest of the rolled grape leaves.
  • Dissolve 1 tsp salt in lemon juice and ¼ cup of water then add to the pressure cooker.
  • Cover and cook on manual pressure for 45 minutes.
  • Serve with yogurt on the side.

If cooking on stove top:

  • Repeat all steps until step 11.
  • Dissolve 1 tsp of salt in enough water to barely cover the grape leaves.
  • Bring to a gentle simmer and cook covered for 1.5 hours on medium heat.
  • Add lemon juice and continue cooking for an additional 30 – 45 minutes until rice and grape leaves are cooked through.

Notes

If using fresh grape leaves, submerge it in simmering water for 30 seconds to soften. If using jarred grape leaves, make sure to rinse it really will.