Vegetarian Lebanese Stuffed Zucchini Healthy Middle Eastern Recipe

At Eminent Recipes, cooking has always been about sharing comforting dishes that bring people together around the table. One recipe that perfectly captures that spirit is Vegetarian Lebanese Stuffed Zucchini, also known as kousa mahshi vegetarian. This classic Middle Eastern stuffed zucchini vegetarian dish features tender zucchini filled with seasoned rice and simmered in tomato sauce. It’s simple, nourishing, and full of authentic Lebanese flavors that transform everyday ingredients into a warm, memorable meal.

Vegetarian Lebanese Stuffed Zucchini

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• Author: Savannah
• Total Time: about 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Vegetarian Lebanese Stuffed Zucchini, known as Kousa Mahshi, is a comforting Middle Eastern dish made with tender hollowed zucchini filled with seasoned rice, herbs, and tomatoes. The zucchini are gently simmered in a rich garlic tomato sauce until perfectly tender. This traditional Lebanese recipe is hearty, aromatic, and perfect for a wholesome vegetarian meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

🛒 Ingredients (for about 4 servings)

For the Stuffed Zucchini:

10–12 small zucchini (Lebanese or Mexican zucchini preferred)

1 cup long-grain rice, rinsed

1 medium tomato, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped (optional)

2 tablespoons olive oil

½ teaspoon allspice

½ teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

2 tablespoons tomato paste

For the Tomato Sauce:

2 cups tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes

2 cups vegetable broth or water

3 cloves garlic, crushed

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Optional Garnish:

Extra chopped parsley

Toasted pine nuts

Plain yogurt for serving

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Instructions

📝 Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Zucchini

Wash the zucchini and trim the tops. Using a zucchini corer or small spoon, carefully hollow out the inside while leaving about ¼ inch thickness around the edges. Set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Filling

In a bowl, combine the rinsed rice, chopped tomato, garlic, parsley, mint, olive oil, tomato paste, allspice, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until evenly combined.

Step 3: Stuff the Zucchini

Fill each hollowed zucchini with the rice mixture about ¾ full to allow room for the rice to expand during cooking. Do not overpack.

Step 4: Prepare the Sauce

In a large pot, combine tomato sauce, vegetable broth, garlic, tomato paste, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 5: Cook the Stuffed Zucchini

Arrange the stuffed zucchini in the pot, standing upright if possible. Cover and simmer on low heat for about 45–50 minutes until the zucchini are tender and the rice is fully cooked.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Drizzle lemon juice over the zucchini before serving. Garnish with parsley and toasted pine nuts if desired. Serve warm with yogurt or fresh bread.

Notes

• Choosing Zucchini: Small, light-green Lebanese zucchini are ideal because they are tender and have fewer seeds.
• Flavor Boost: Add a pinch of seven-spice or cumin for deeper Middle Eastern flavor.
• Storage: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and often taste even better the next day.
• Vegan Option: The recipe is naturally vegan when served without yogurt.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 45–50 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Simmered / Stuffed
• Cuisine: Lebanese / Middle Eastern

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Vegetarian Lebanese Stuffed Zucchini is one of those dishes that feels both comforting and exciting at the same time. Known traditionally as kousa mahshi vegetarian, this classic Middle Eastern stuffed zucchini vegetarian recipe is loved for its rich flavor and simple ingredients. The combination of tender zucchini, fragrant rice, herbs, and garlic simmered in tomato sauce creates a dish that is both hearty and wholesome.

One of the biggest reasons people love this vegetarian Lebanese stuffed zucchini recipe is how easy it is to prepare. The ingredients are simple pantry staples, yet the result tastes like a slow-cooked traditional Lebanese meal. It’s also a great one-pot dish, meaning less cleanup while still delivering incredible flavor.

This kousa mahshi vegetarian recipe is also highly customizable. You can easily add chickpeas, extra herbs, or even toasted pine nuts for more texture. The balance between soft zucchini, savory rice filling, and rich tomato sauce makes this middle eastern stuffed zucchini vegetarian dish incredibly satisfying.

Whether you’re preparing a healthy weeknight dinner or exploring traditional Lebanese cuisine, vegetarian Lebanese stuffed zucchini delivers comforting flavor with minimal effort.

Ingredients for This Recipe

The beauty of vegetarian Lebanese stuffed zucchini lies in its simple yet flavorful ingredients. Traditional kousa mahshi vegetarian recipes rely on fresh zucchini, aromatic rice filling, herbs, and a rich tomato sauce. Each ingredient contributes to the authentic taste that makes this middle eastern stuffed zucchini vegetarian dish so beloved.

Small Lebanese zucchini are ideal because they are tender and easy to hollow, making them perfect for stuffing. The filling typically includes long-grain rice mixed with garlic, tomatoes, and fresh herbs such as parsley and mint. Warm spices like cinnamon and allspice create the signature flavor found in many Lebanese stuffed zucchini recipes.

The tomato sauce is equally important. Made with crushed tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and broth, it gently simmers the stuffed zucchini until tender and infused with flavor. A splash of lemon juice at the end brightens the entire dish and balances the richness.

Together, these ingredients create a wholesome vegetarian Lebanese stuffed zucchini dish that feels traditional, nourishing, and deeply comforting.

🛒 Ingredients:

For the Stuffed Zucchini:

10–12 small zucchini (Lebanese or Mexican zucchini preferred)

1 cup long-grain rice, rinsed

1 medium tomato, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped (optional)

2 tablespoons olive oil

½ teaspoon allspice

½ teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

2 tablespoons tomato paste

For the Tomato Sauce:

2 cups tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes

2 cups vegetable broth or water

3 cloves garlic, crushed

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Optional Garnish:

Extra chopped parsley

Toasted pine nuts

Plain yogurt for serving

How to Make This Recipe

Preparing vegetarian Lebanese stuffed zucchini is easier than it looks, and the process brings together classic Middle Eastern cooking techniques. This kousa mahshi vegetarian recipe begins with carefully hollowing fresh zucchini so they can hold a flavorful rice filling. The rice mixture absorbs the spices, garlic, and tomato flavors while cooking, creating a delicious middle eastern stuffed zucchini vegetarian dish.

Start by rinsing the rice and combining it with chopped tomato, garlic, parsley, mint, and warm Lebanese spices. This aromatic filling is what gives vegetarian Lebanese stuffed zucchini its signature taste. The mixture should be light and fluffy so the rice can expand while cooking.

Next, gently stuff the hollowed zucchini with the rice mixture, leaving a little space at the top. Once filled, the zucchini are arranged in a pot with a rich tomato sauce made from crushed tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and broth.

As the zucchini simmer, they slowly absorb the sauce while the rice cooks to tender perfection. This slow simmering step is what transforms the ingredients into authentic kousa mahshi vegetarian packed with flavor.

🛒 Steps:

Prepare and hollow the zucchini carefully

Mix rice, tomato, garlic, herbs, and spices for filling

Stuff zucchini loosely with the rice mixture

Prepare tomato sauce with garlic, broth, and olive oil

Arrange stuffed zucchini in a deep cooking pot

Simmer gently until zucchini are tender and rice is cooked

Finish with lemon juice and fresh herbs before serving

Expert Cooking Tips

Cooking the perfect vegetarian Lebanese stuffed zucchini comes down to a few traditional techniques used in authentic kousa mahshi vegetarian recipes. These small details help create a dish that is tender, flavorful, and beautifully balanced.

First, choose small and firm zucchini whenever possible. Lebanese zucchini varieties work best for middle eastern stuffed zucchini vegetarian dishes because they have thin skins and mild flavor. Smaller zucchini are also easier to hollow and cook more evenly.

Another key tip is not to overfill the zucchini. The rice needs room to expand during cooking, which is essential for achieving the perfect texture in vegetarian Lebanese stuffed zucchini.

Slow simmering is also important. Cooking the stuffed zucchini gently in tomato sauce allows the flavors to develop while the rice absorbs the rich broth and spices. This method ensures every bite of kousa mahshi vegetarian is tender and aromatic.

Finally, adding fresh lemon juice and herbs just before serving enhances the flavor and gives the dish its classic Lebanese brightness.

💡 Expert Tips:

Use small Lebanese zucchini for authentic kousa mahshi vegetarian texture

Do not pack the rice filling too tightly

Simmer slowly to allow flavors to develop

Add chickpeas for extra protein in middle eastern stuffed zucchini vegetarian

Top with toasted pine nuts for traditional Lebanese flavor

Finish with fresh lemon juice for brightness

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Vegetarian Lebanese Stuffed Zucchini is a beautiful example of how simple ingredients can create deeply comforting flavors. Known as kousa mahshi vegetarian, this classic Middle Eastern dish combines tender zucchini, aromatic rice filling, and rich tomato sauce into a satisfying meal. It’s easy to prepare, naturally vegetarian, and perfect for both weeknight dinners and special gatherings. The balance of herbs, spices, and slow-simmered sauce makes this middle eastern stuffed zucchini vegetarian recipe truly memorable. Once you try this authentic vegetarian Lebanese stuffed zucchini recipe, it will quickly become a favorite dish to share with family and friends.