Yemista - Stuffed Vegetables

Greek and Cypriot Recipes

Yemista is a variety of vegetables such as courgettes, aubergines, tomatoes, potatoes, onions and peppers which are stuffed with rice and herbs and then roasted in the oven.

This dish is great for vegetarians but can also be made using meat so is perfect for all.

In this recipe we are using courgettes, tomatoes and peppers and the traditional minced meat. Vegetarians just omit the meat and use a few more peppers.

Ingredients

12 Vegetables (4 of each)

1lb minced meat

1 tablespoon tomato puree

2 teacups rice

2 tablespoons chopped parsley

2 chopped onions

1 teaspoon chopped mint

Cup of olive oil

Salt and pepper

Method

Wash vegetables

Cut a thin slice off the top of each tomato and scoop out the pulp and put aside.

Cut the tops off the peppers (put aside) and take away the inside skin and seeds.

Cut the ends off the courgettes and carefully scoop out the pulp using an apple corer or sharp knife - add to other pulp and shred.

Make Stuffing

Add oil to pan and fry onions until golden brown.

Add minced meat, mix together and cook for about 10 minutes.

Add tomato and courgette pulp, parsley, mint, salt and pepper, tomato puree and a little water. Cover and simmer for about 45mins (20mins if not using meat).

Wash rice, add to mixture and cook for another 5 - 10 minutes.

Oil a baking dish and place tomatoes and peppers inside propping them up against each other so as not to fall.

Stuff with mixture and then place tops on tomatoes and peppers.

Stuff courgettes and add to dish.

Add a little water and olive oil, cover with foil and cook in a pre-heated oven on medium heat for about 50-60mins.

Serve with wedges of lemon, crunchy bread and chips (optional)

Kali Orexi! (καλή όρεξη) - Good Appetite

Vegetarian Yemista (With Onions)

An easy and very quick way to make vegetarian yemista is to use un-cooked rice (I do this often!). Ingredients are as above with two onions added and omitting meat.

Make Stuffing

Wash two cups of un-cookled rice and put in bowl

Add tomato and courgette pulp, parsley, mint, salt and pepper, tomato puree and a little olive oil.

Boil onions for 10 mins until soft enough to part to form 2 or 3 onions from each (take care not to break them and keep onion water)

Oil a baking dish and place tomatoes, peppers and onions inside (propping them up against each other so as not to fall).

Stuff with mixture and then place tops on tomatoes and peppers.

Stuff courgettes and add to dish.

Pour some of the onion water and olive oil to taste over the vegetables. Cover with foil and cook in a pre-heated oven on medium heat for about 50-60mins.

Kali Orexi! (καλή όρεξη) - Good Appetite