One of the pleasures of a well-used kitchen is discovering another recipe worth keeping, and Koosa W Dawali (Stuffed Squash and Grape Leaves) is just that. This is a satisfying dish to keep in mind whenever dinner deserves a little more attention. Keep this one close for the days when time is short but a good meal still matters.
Ingredients
- 3-3 1/2 lb white squash
- Fresh grape leaves
- 2 cups short grain rice
- 1 lb coarse ground meat (lamb and beef)
- 1/2 cup parsley, chopped
- 1 tbs mixed middle eastern spice or 7 spice
- 1 tbs salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cardamom
- Olive oil and vegetable oil
- 3 1/2 cups broth or water
Instructions
- Wash the rice 3 times and soak in lukewarm water for 1 hour.
- Quick boil the fresh grape leaves enough to change color on both sides. If using grape leaves from a jar you need to rinse 3 times from the brine and quickly boil. Core the squash not too thin.
- Make the filling: add the meat to the washed drained rice, 1/2 cup of parsley and spices mentioned on top, for the fat content I like to mix olive oil and vegetable oil, some people like to use ghee! I don’t because the rice will turn lumpy not fluffy. Add enough oil so rice is moist, start with a 1/3 cup.
- Start filling the koosa~white squash 3/4 of the way shaking in between the key is not to over stuff.
- With the rest of the stuffing roll the grape leaves until you finish the stuffing as shown.
- In an 8 quart pot place a layer of sliced tomatoes, then the white squash, and last the grape leaves. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of salt on top then 3 1/2 cups of broth or water or a mix of both (I had some lamb broth) place a plate and cover the pot.
- Bring to a boil then lower the heat to low-medium. Cook for 1 – 1 1/2 hour. Test one grape leaf for doneness. Let stand for 30 minutes before serving.
- Serve next to plain yogurt and and lemon wedges.
Notes
- I like using fresh grape leaves because they are much more tender than the jar.
- After finishing cooking, you will still have extra broth in the pot, you can drain it in a bowl to dip your food in.