Albanian Stuffed Zucchini with Beef and Rice (Qifqi)
Succulent zucchini boats stuffed with a perfectly seasoned mixture of ground beef, rice, and herbs, this traditional Albanian dish, known as Qifqi, is comfort food at its best. It's a complete meal that effortlessly combines protein, vegetables, and grains balanced with aromatic spices.
Equipment
- Knife
- Spoon
- Cutting board
- Mixing bowl
- Baking dish
- Aluminum foil
- Oven
Ingredients
- 4 medium zucchini (approx. 2 pounds or 900g)
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup long-grain rice
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- 1 cup water or beef broth
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Wash the zucchini and slice them in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, hollow out the centers of the zucchini halves to create boats, leaving about 1/4 inch (6mm) flesh around the skin.
- In a bowl, mix together the ground beef, rice, onion, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, oregano, and smoked paprika until well combined.
- Stuff the beef and rice mixture into the hollowed zucchini boats, pressing gently to fill them up.
- Place the stuffed zucchini in a baking dish and pour the tomato sauce and water or beef broth around them.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through and the zucchini are tender.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes to get a slightly crisp top on the stuffing.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with lentils or chickpeas.
Adjust the seasoning to your taste, and consider adding other spices like cumin or coriander for a different flavor profile.
Ensure the rice is thoroughly rinsed before mixing with the beef to prevent it from becoming gummy during cooking.
If you prefer a cheese topping, sprinkle some grated parmesan or mozzarella over the stuffed zucchini during the last 10 minutes of baking.