Stuffed mini zucchinis

Stuffed mini-zucchini with mushrooms and wild rice – A delicious vegetarian recipe

If you're looking for a healthy, tasty, and easy-to-make recipe, you've come to the right place! Stuffed mini-zucchini with mushrooms and wild rice are a perfect choice for a flavorful vegetarian meal. This recipe not only brings a unique taste to your table, but it is also a nutritious option, packed with vitamins and minerals. Moreover, it's a great way to use seasonal vegetables!

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Number of servings: 6

Ingredients:
- 6 mini-zucchini (or larger zucchinis)
- 3 large mushrooms
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 carrot
- 1 bunch of dill
- 1 bunch of parsley
- 1 green onion (large)
- 2 ripe tomatoes
- Tomato paste to taste
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1/2 cup wild rice
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1 tablespoon sugar (if the sauce isn't sweet enough)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 300 ml water (about one large cup)

Preparation:

1. Preparing the wild rice:
Start by rinsing the wild rice well under cold water, then drain it. Wild rice is an excellent choice due to its slightly crunchy texture and distinct flavor. It is rich in fiber and protein, making it a great nutritious source.

2. Preparing the vegetables:
Wash the mini-zucchini and cut them in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, carefully scoop out the insides to create space for the filling. Lightly rub the insides with a little salt to enhance their flavor.

Clean the mushrooms and chop them into small pieces. Also, finely chop the green onion and bell pepper, and grate the carrot. Wash and finely chop the herbs (dill and parsley).

3. Preparing the filling:
You can choose between two methods for preparing the filling.

- Option 1: Mix all the ingredients (rice, mushrooms, onion, carrot, bell pepper, herbs, raisins, salt, and pepper) in a large bowl. Adjust the taste and fill the zucchini with this mixture.

- Option 2: If you prefer a tastier filling, sauté all the ingredients in a pan with a little olive oil. Let them soften for a few minutes, then add the rice and mix well. Season with salt and pepper, then fill the zucchini.

4. Preparing the sauce:
In a baking dish, pour the remaining mixture from filling the zucchini. Add tomato paste to taste, water, and a little olive oil. Season again with salt and pepper. This base will create a delicious sauce during baking.

5. Baking:
Place the stuffed zucchini in the dish and pour the sauce over them. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes at 180°C. After this time, remove the foil and bake for another 30 minutes, until the zucchini are well cooked.

6. Serving:
After they have cooled slightly, serve the stuffed mini-zucchini with a spoonful of yogurt on the side. This will add a refreshing note and balance the intense flavors.

Tips and tricks:
- If you can't find mini-zucchini, you can use larger zucchinis or even bell peppers. Make sure to scoop them out well to make room for the filling.
- Raisins add a sweet note in contrast to the other ingredients. If you don't like them, you can omit them or replace them with chopped nuts.
- For an even more intense flavor, you can add spices like sweet paprika or oregano to the filling mixture.

Nutritional benefits:
This recipe is rich in fiber due to the vegetables and wild rice, and the mushrooms provide plant-based protein. It is also a good source of vitamins, such as vitamin A (from the carrot) and B vitamins (from the mushrooms and vegetables).

Frequently asked questions:
- Can I use regular rice instead of wild rice?
Yes, but you will need to adjust the cooking time and the amount of water. Regular rice cooks faster.

- Is this recipe suitable for vegans?
Absolutely! Just make sure to use a plant-based yogurt if you want to serve it with yogurt.

- What other vegetables can I use?
You can experiment with zucchini, eggplant, or any other favorite vegetable.

Stuffed mini-zucchini with mushrooms and wild rice are not only a filling meal but also an explosion of flavors, perfect for a family dinner or a meal with friends. I encourage you to try this recipe and enjoy a culinary experience full of flavor!