Greek Stuffed Zucchini Kolokithakia Yemista Avgolemono Recipes

GREEK STUFFED ZUCCHINI (KOLOKITHAKIA YEMISTA AVGOLEMONO)

Steps:

• Cut zucchini into 1/2s or 1/3s, cored on one end (the other end is left intact) and remove filing carefully with corer so that a not-too-thick wall of zucchini remains to contain the filling, keep 1/2 the zucchini flesh removed from the coring, minced (not the shells- but the actual part of the zucchini that was removed, the other half makes a lovely omelette with a bit of parmesan for another meal!).
• You can prepare your zucchini from the previous day and keep, wrapped, in the refrigerator- this actually makes a lot less work on the day of preparation as it's the coring of the zucchini that takes up the most time.
• Mix the meats, onion, garlic, rice, parsley and zucchini in a bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Stuff this mixture into the opening of the one end of each zucchini piece and make sure the filling goes all the way into the vegetable.
• Level opening neatly so that no filling comes out.
• Layer the filled zucchini pieces in a big pot and add enough boiling water to just cover.
• Put in the stock cubes and the butter and cover.
• Simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour (knife tip should slip into a piece easily), and take off heat.
• Carefully remove the zucchini pieces with a slotted spoon and place on a reheatable serving dish.
• Strain the cooking liquid left in the pot to remove any pieces of zucchini or grains of rice that may be floating around.
• In a large bowl, whisk the eggs with the cornstarch and lemon juice (add the juice of 1 lemon at this point).
• Slowly ladle in (literally the thinnest of streams) your hot cooking liquid, whisking the eggs all the while so they don't curdle.
• Keep doing this till nearly all the cooking liquid has been used and then pour your egg mixture and any cooking liquid left back into the pot and heat on a low flame until the sauce has thickened.
• Taste, if it needs more lemon, add up to 1/2 more.
• This is what is called an'Avgolemono Sauce' (Egg-lemon Sauce)- it is delicious.
• When ready to serve, put 2-3 piping hot pieces of the stuffed zucchini on each plate and nap with the sauce.
• Serve with feta cheese on the side (you won't believe how good a nibble of feta tastes with each bite of this!), good, crusty bread (you want to get all the sauce), and wine.

YEMISTA (GREEK STUFFED TOMATOES AND PEPPERS)

Steps:

• Cut off tops of tomatoes (retain tops) and carefully scoop out flesh (retain this as well).
• Cut off tops of peppers (retain tops) and remove seeds and membrane.
• Place tomatoes and peppers in a pan large enough to hold them comfortably and give each veg a tiny dash of sugar with the tips of your fingertips (I really think this is important!).
• Take tomato flesh and process it until pureed.
• Add olive oil, rice, onion, garlic, mint, parsley, nuts, cheese, sultanas, 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper (or season to taste).
• Stuff the vegetables evenly with this mixture.
• Replace tops of tomatoes and peppers.
• Combine 1 cup of water and 1/2 cup olive oil with a scant tablespoonful of tomato paste and a little salt and pepper and pour this around the veg.
• Bake in a preheated 375F oven (180C) for approx 1 3/4 hours (vegetables should pierce easily and be slightly blackened in parts).
• Turn off oven and leave in for another hour to'mellow' before serving.
• This is best served slightly warm or at room temperature.
• It is wonderful eaten along with little bites of feta cheese and a cool glass of white or rose.
• It will also have yummy juices begging to be mopped up with bits of crusty bread.
• In my version, I also take 3-4 medium-sized potatoes, cut them into big wedges, toss in a little olive oil with salt and pepper to taste, and'plant' in the spaces amidst the vegetables.
• That way you can have a couple of wedges of potato too.

VEGETARIAN GREEK STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375*F.
• Lightly oil a baking sheet.
• Slice the zucchini in half lengthwise.
• With a paring knife, score the flesh about 1/2 inch deep.
• Place the cut sides down on the baking sheet.
• Sprinkle with the sherry and cover with foil.
• Bake for about 20 minutes, until yielding but still firm.
• While the zucchini bakes, make the sauce.
• Heat the oil in a saucepan, add the onions and garlic, and saute for about 10 minutes, until the onions are translucent.
• Add the tomato paste, tomatoes, oregano, cinnamon, and sherry.
• Then bring to a boil; reduce the heat and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Add the salt and pepper to taste.
• Cover and set aside.
• While the sauce is simmering, prepare the filling.
• Saute the onions and garlic in the oil for about 10 minutes, until the onions are translucent.
• In a bowl, combine the sauteed onions with the walnuts, feta, currants, and lemon juice.
• Stir in the rice.
• When the zucchini is tender, use a spoon to scoop out the flesh, leaving a thin 1/4 inch shell.
• Chop the flesh and add it to the filling.
• Mound the filling in the shells and sprinkle with seasoned bread crumbs and olive oil, if desired.
• Bake, uncovered, for about 10 to 15 minutes.
• To serve, ladle some of the tomato sauce onto each plate.
• Place a stuffed zucchini on the sauce and top with grated feta.
• Garnish with oregano leaves, if you wish.
• Enjoy!