It is a dish from the Hatay-Mersin region. It is also known as the king of stuffed vegetables. In addition, Kilis Şıhalımahşe is a registered and geographically indicated stuffed food. Since the zucchinis are fried and chickpeas are used, it has a very different taste than regular stuffed zucchinis. You can serve it as a hot starter or main course. Enjoy your meal!
Wash the zucchinis thoroughly and cut off the upper and lower stem parts. Score them with a fork and cut them into 3-finger thick pieces and the same size. Using a teaspoon, carve out the middle parts, less than normal stuffed zucchini (it should remain thick as it will be fried).
For the stuffing, peel the onion and chop it finely. Peel the garlic, crush it with the side of the knife and chop finely.
Fry the washed and dried zucchinis in hot oil over medium heat until they turn pink. Remove the fried zucchinis on paper towels and remove excess oil.
To make lids for stuffed vegetables, cut zucchini slices equal to the number of stuffed items and set them aside.
Put the butter in a pan and heat it. First, fry the onions until they become transparent. Add the garlic and stir together a few turns. Add the tomato paste and mix.
Add the minced meat to the pan and sauté until it turns brown.
Add boiled chickpeas, salt and spices and mix. Optionally, you can add grape juice or pomegranate syrup to your mixture at this stage.
Fill the fried zucchinis with stuffing and place them upright on a baking tray. Close the covers. For the sauce, mix tomato puree or 1-2 spoons of tomato paste with 2 glasses of hot water and 1/2 tea glass of olive oil and dilute.
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Pour the tomato paste sauce over the food. Bake until the zucchinis are soft (about 25-30 minutes).
You can take the cooked stuffed vegetables out of the oven and serve them hot, accompanied by garlic yoghurt and garnished with parsley leaves. Enjoy your meal!
Keep in mind: You can click on each ingredient to find other recipes that use that ingredient.
Zucchini:
Zucchini (kabak) is rich in dietary fiber, Vitamin C for immunity, and potassium, benefiting heart and digestive health. It also contains powerful antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, crucial for eye health. Low in calories and high in water, it's ideal for healthy diets. It pairs wonderfully with yogurt, garlic, dill, and olive oil.
Boiled Chickpeas:
Boiled chickpeas, with their high fiber content, support digestion and provide long-lasting satiety. Their iron content contributes to energy production, while magnesium is crucial for nerve and muscle functions. Thanks to their low glycemic index, they help balance blood sugar and are rich in folate. They pair wonderfully with olive oil, lemon, and tahini; can be used in salads, rice dishes, and stews.
Lamb Mince:
Ground lamb is a nutrient-dense food, providing high-quality protein essential for muscle repair and growth. It's an excellent source of highly absorbable iron, vital for blood health and energy production, alongside critical B12 vitamin for nerve function. Beyond boosting energy and supporting immunity, its rich flavor pairs wonderfully with aromatic herbs like mint, rosemary, and thyme, as well as vegetables such as eggplant and tomato.
Liquid Oil:
Liquid oils (sunflower, olive, etc.) are essential kitchen ingredients that add flavor to dishes and contain healthy unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E. Ideal for frying, salad dressings, baking, and sautéing. They pair perfectly with vegetables, meats, legumes, and grains. They offer easy cooking.
Butter:
Butter is a rich, flavorful fat derived from milk. It contains fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K2, along with healthy fatty acids, serving as an energy source. It's easily digestible. Butter enhances the taste of meals and rice dishes, is spread on bread, or used in sauces. It's indispensable for breakfast tables and various recipes.
Tomato Paste:
Tomato Paste is a concentrated source of lycopene, a potent antioxidant whose bioavailability increases when heated. This property supports heart health and may help reduce the risk of certain cancers, particularly prostate cancer. It also contains Vitamin K and potassium. Its absorption is enhanced when consumed with olive oil. It pairs perfectly with onions, garlic, red meat, and legumes, adding depth and umami to dishes.
Pepper Paste:
Red Pepper Paste is a flavorful concentrate made from ripe red peppers. Its high Vitamin C content supports the immune system, while its antioxidant properties (carotenoids) protect cell health. The capsaicin it contains may boost metabolism. It is commonly used to add a unique aroma, especially in bulgur pilaf, meat dishes, and breakfast sauces.
Dry Onion:
Dry onion is a kitchen staple and a powerful antioxidant source. Its quercetin content helps protect the body against free radicals, reduces inflammation, and may support heart health. Rich in Vitamins C and B6, and manganese, it strengthens the immune system. Its prebiotic fibers contribute to digestive health. It is widely used in dishes ranging from meat dishes to vegetable sautés, pilafs, and soups. It pairs perfectly with garlic, tomatoes, peppers, and red meat.
Chili Pepper:
Red Pepper Flakes, beyond adding a unique heat to dishes, can help boost metabolism due to the capsaicin it contains. It also supports the body with its antioxidant properties and can benefit digestion. It pairs wonderfully with garlic, tomato, olive oil, and various meat dishes; it also adds depth to pasta and soups.
Cumin:
Cumin is a powerful spice that supports digestion, reduces bloating, and stimulates digestive enzymes. Rich in iron, it possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It pairs excellently with legumes (lentils, chickpeas), red and white meats, vegetables, and yogurt-based sauces. Combined with coriander, turmeric, and chili, it creates deep flavors in Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines.
Sumac:
Sumac, a popular spice from the Rhus plant family, stands out with its lemony and slightly fruity taste. It contains powerful antioxidants, supporting its cell-protective effects. Known for its digestive benefits, it can particularly alleviate indigestion and bloating. It also possesses mild anti-inflammatory properties. Sumac adds a unique flavor to many dishes like lentil stews, salads, grilled chicken, and fish. It also pairs wonderfully with yogurt-based appetizers.
Black Pepper:
Black pepper, a kitchen staple, offers not just flavor but also significant health benefits. Thanks to piperine, its active compound, it boasts powerful antioxidant properties, helping to combat free radicals. It can stimulate the digestive system, enhancing nutrient absorption and notably increasing the bioavailability of curcumin found in turmeric. Additionally, it's effective in reducing gas and bloating. It also has a mild metabolism-boosting effect. With a wide range of uses from red meats to poultry, vegetable dishes to soups, it pairs excellently. It harmonizes perfectly with spices like cumin and coriander, as well as ingredients like lemon and garlic, adding depth to dishes.
Tomato Puree:
Tomato puree is a powerful antioxidant source, rich in lycopene. When cooked, lycopene absorption increases, which supports skin health, protects cells against free radicals, and may positively contribute to heart health. It also contains beneficial components like Vitamin C and potassium. It pairs wonderfully with Mediterranean flavors such as olive oil, garlic, fresh basil, and oregano. An indispensable ingredient, it adds depth to pasta sauces, stews, and soups.
Parsley:
Parsley is a powerful antioxidant source that supports bone health and plays a crucial role in blood clotting due to its Vitamin K content. Its Vitamin C content strengthens immunity. Rich in flavonoids like apigenin, it can help reduce inflammation. It is also a natural diuretic. It pairs perfectly with lemon, garlic, and olive oil; adding a refreshing flavor to fish, chicken, soups, and salads.
A single hot pot, a warm mother's meal. With rice and pickles on the side, our chickpea dish, one of the classics of Turkish cuisine, will taste like the fancy plates of invitation tables and will gather the whole family…
Toyga soup, which is one of the traditional flavors of Turkish cuisine, is a delicious and nutritious soup with chickpeas, wheat (splitting) and yogurt. Sometimes the chard is sweetened by adding and a slight souring is…
BIT BIT Soup, which belongs to Turkish Anatolian cuisine, is a winter and healing soup that supports immunity due to its protein -rich content. It is said that he received his name from the sounds of the pot while baking…
Falafel, a hearty Lebanese delicacy; It gets its taste from chickpeas, fresh greens and dried spices. The secret is to soak the chickpeas in water the night before boiling them. You can also bake chickpea meatballs…
50 Min
Recipes by ingredients you have in your fridge!
Smart recipes from Turkish and Greek cuisines, carefully prepared and filtered according to the ingredients you have, are at your fingertips!
Flourless zucchini liked is a light and delicious zucchini dish made without using flour. This dish, which is created by roasting the zucchinis well and flavoring them with spices, meets the delicious aroma of olive…
Edema-relieving zucchini soup is a light and refreshing soup. This soup, prepared with edema-relieving vegetables such as zucchini, carrots and parsley, is both delicious and healthy. It is recommended to be consumed…
For: 4 People
Prep: 30 Min
40 Min
