Mahshi is an Egyptian dish consisting of stuffed vegetables in grape leaves. The dish can be made using eggplant, zucchini, or bell peppers and is filled with a mix of rice, herbs, and a variety of spices.
The dish is one of the most popular in Egypt and is often served at important celebrations like Ramadan.
Origin & Cultural Significance
Mahshi is one of Egypt’s oldest and most important dishes – with its origins dating back to ancient times. Versions of the dish can be found all over the Mediterranean and the Middle East, using a variety of different ingredients – however, the Egyptian version is popularly made with squash, eggplant, or zucchini.
Mahshi can be made with or without meat, making it a favorite in both low-income and wealthy communities, and is considered a comfort food for many Egyptians.
The dish is served at weddings, birthdays, religious festivals, and other important family gatherings. The way Mahshi is made and served with be different from family to family, with each family having their own methods that have been passed down from generation to generation.
Egyptian Mahshi
Mahshi is an Egyptian dish consisting of stuffed vegetables. The dish can be made using eggplant, zucchini, or bell peppers and is filled with a mix of rice, herbs, and a variety of spices.
Ingredients
- Eggplant - 2 large
- Zucchini - 2
- Bell peppers - 2
- Rice (cooked) - 1 cup
- Onion (finely chopped) - 1
- Tomato (diced) - 1
- Parsley (chopped) - 1/4 cup
- Dill (chopped) - 1/4 cup
- Garlic (minced) - 2 cloves
- Lemon juice - 2 tbsp
- Olive oil - 2 tbsp
- Salt and pepper - to taste
- Water or vegetable broth - for cooking
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut the tops off the eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers. Scoop out the flesh, leaving about a 1/4-inch thick shell.
- In a bowl, combine the cooked rice, chopped onion, diced tomato, chopped parsley, chopped dill, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Stuff the vegetable shells with the rice mixture, packing it tightly.
- Place the stuffed vegetables in a baking dish. Add water or vegetable broth to the dish, enough to cover the bottom.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
- Serve the Mahshi hot, garnished with additional chopped herbs if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 287Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 261mgCarbohydrates: 53gFiber: 12gSugar: 16gProtein: 7g
Nutrition is provided and calculated by Nutritionix. It is for general information purposes and is only a rough estimation.