Recipe - Kousa Mahshi (Stuffed Squash With Tomato Sauce)

SAUCE:
7 md Tomato; fresh, ripe, peeled,
;seeded and finely chopped,
;or 2.5 cups chopped,
;drained, canned tomatoes
1 cup Onion; finely chopped
2 One half cup Water
1 teaspoon Salt
Black pepper; freshly ground
SQUASH:
6 md Zucchini; or other summer
;squash, each about 7 to 8
;inches long
2 teaspoon Salt
2 teaspoon Mint, fresh; finely cut or
;1 teaspoon dried mint
STUFFING:
1 pound Lamb, lean, ground
2/3 cup White rice; long/medium
;grain rice, uncooked,
;thoroughly washed & drained
1 teaspoon Salt
One fourth teaspoon Ground nutmeg; prefer fresh
;grated
One half teaspoon Ground allspice
Black pepper; freshly grated

Sauce:
To make the sauce, combine the tomatoes, onions, 2 « cups of water, 1
teaspoon salt and a few grindings of pepper in a heavy casserole large
enough to hold the squash in 1 or 2 layers. Stirring frequently, bring to
a boil over high heat, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 20
minutes. Set aside.

Squash:
Meanwhile, scrub the zucchini under cold running water. Pat them dry
with paper towels and, with a small, sharp knife, cut about 1 inch off the
stem ends. Carefully tunnel out the center of each squash leaving an «
inch thick shell all around. The best utensil for this is the Syrian
Munara, or squash corer, but you can use an apple corer almost as
effectively. As the squash are cored, drop them into a large bowl
containing 2 quarts of water, 2 teaspoons of salt and the mint. Let the
squash soak for 5 or 10 minutes.

Stuffing:
To make the stuffing, combine the lamb, rice, 1 teaspoon salt, nutmeg,
allspice and a few grindings of pepper. Knead vigorously with both hands,
then beat with a wooden spoon until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. Spoon
the stuffing into the squash, tapping the bottom end lightly on the table
to shake the stuffing down, then filling the squash to their tops.
Place the squash in the tomato sauce, laying them flat. Bring to a boil
over high heat, reduce the heat to low, cover tightly and simmer for 30
minutes, or until the squash show only the slightest resistance when
pierced with the point of a small, sharp knife. Do not overcook.
To serve, carefully transfer the squash to a heated platter or individual
serving dishes and spoon the sauce over them.
Source: Time Life Series: Middle Eastern Cooking "crica 69"

MMed by: earl.cravens@salata.com
Posted to recipeludigest by GramWag GramWag@aol.com on Mar 18, 1998