Kusa & Warak (Stuffed Zucchini and Grape Leaves)

Kusa means Zucchini in Arabic and Warak simply means paper. This is one of the most popular and symbolic traditional middle eastern dishes. The recipe is not so simple but I will try and make it easy to understand and follow.

Time: 2-3 hours

Servings: 10

Ingredients:

20 Small to Medium Sized Zucchinis

50 Grape Leaves

2 Cups of Basmatic Rice

250 Grams of Minced Beef Meat

2 Spoons of Olive Oil

3 Spoons of Salt

1 Spoon of Baharat (Old Spice)

Directions:

1. Place the Grape Leaves in a small pot, fill with water, bring to a boil and remove the grape leaves from the water to cool them down.

2. Wash the Rice and place it in a bowl. Add the minced meat along with 1 spoon of olive oil, 2 spoons of salt and 1 spoon of Baharat. Mix everything until you get a consistent mixture.

3. Wash the Zucchinis and cut off their stems and bottoms. Remove the insides of the Zucchinis using a Zucchini Corer.

4. Fill up the Zucchinis with the Rice and Meat mixture. Make sure to only fill up half of the Zucchinis because the Rice will expand when cooked.

5. Place the grape leaves on a slightly oiled surface when the side of the stem is facing up. Place some of the mixture (an amount the size of your little finger) in the center of the grape leaf and fold it. To fold the grape leaves properly, start with two folds from the bottom sides into the center and then one complete roll upwards. Now fold the sides to the center again and then roll it upwards to the end. This way you will have a tightly closed grape leaf.

6. Oil the bottom of a big pot and place all of the stuffed Zucchinis and Grape Leaves. Make sure to spread them out evenly so that you won't have all the Grape Leaves on the bottom for an example as that would make it easier to reach in and grab both Zucchinis and Grape Leaves.

7. Fill up with water until the Zucchinis and Grape Leaves are almost completely covered.

8. Add a spoon of salt.

9. Cook on high heat until the water starts to boil then lower the heat to low and cook for about an hour and a half.

10. Once you taste a Zucchini and a Grape leaf and they are both soft and the Rice inside them is ready, get rid of all the water.

Tips and Comments:

*The total time it takes to prepare this dish depends on your ability and skill to remove the insides of the Zucchinis and roll the Grape Leaves.

*Baharat is a mixture of spices. It is used with meat in the Arabic kitchen. Check out the wikipedia page.

*The best way to get Grape Leaves is to pick them up if you have a Grape tree in your garden. When it's the season (Late April to Early June) you can usually find them in Arab/Turkish markets.

*It is possible to store Grape Leaves in the freezer. You just need to boil them first and then put them in a plastic bag with no air as much as possible.

*You can find the Zucchini Corer in Arab markets/stores. If not, you can find one online. Just google "Zucchini Corer".

*Look for videos on Youtube that show how to roll the Grape Leaves if you find my description and instructions unclear or hard to understand.

*Some people would place Tomatoes or Lamb chops at the bottom of the pot before placing the Zucchinis and Grape Leaves.

*Serve the dish with cold Yogurt. For 10 servings, place two Zucchinis and 5 Grape Leaves in a plate and pour some Yogurt on top.