Dolmeh: Kadoo ~ Persian Stuffed Squash

At the local Farmer’s Markets during summer and early fall you will notice an abundance of Squash which come in different shapes, size, and colors.  Look at these beauties, I love the different color combination on them.  So I am declaring this week to be “Squash Week” here at My Persian Kitchen. I have three different squash recipes that I will post this week.

When saying the word “Dolmeh” most people immediately think of stuffed grape leaves. Persians use the word “dolmeh” for any type of vegetable that is stuffed. I love the way Persians make stuffed vegetables, it is so good! I could not resist making dolmeh with these squashes because they looked gorgeous and I thought that they would be fun to photograph.

This is the first installment of Persian Dolmeh that I will be posting. I should have started with the stuffed grape leaves Dolmeh, as it is the most popular, but to be honest, I am not happy with the pictures that I took the last time we made it.  I will make it again sometime soon and post the recipe. In the mean time enjoy Dolmeh-ye Kadoo.

Ingredients

3 round squashes

1/4 cup split peas

1/4 cup rice*

1/2 cup onion, diced

1 garlic clove, minced

1/4 lb ground meat

2 tbsp tomato paste

1/4 scallions, chopped

1 cup parsley, chopped

1 tsp dried tarragon (if using fresh, chop just a few leaves)

2 tsp advieh

pinch of saffron

salt & pepper

Cook split peas and rice for 30 minutes.  Make sure that you season with salt.

Sauté onion and garlic in oil. When translucent add ground meat. Season with salt and cook until meat is well cooked. I used ground turkey in this case because it has less fat. You can use any type of ground meat that you little heart desires.

Add 1 tbsp of tomato paste with 1/4 cup of water. Let reduce until juices are absorbed.

In the mean time cut the top part of the squash.

Carve out the flesh and save for later use.

Rub the inside of the squash with a little salt.

In a bowl mix rice, split peas, cooked ground meat, parsley, chives, tarragon, and advieh. Add a pinch of pepper and adjust salt if needed.

Mix well together.

Load the mixture into the squash. This recipe was just enough for these three for me.

In a pan bring 1 cup of water to boil. Add 1 tbsp of tomato paste, a pinch of saffron, and a pinch of salt. I used the same pan where I cooked the meat. If you are a perfectionist you can use a new pan, I am all about practicality and having to wash less dishes!

Place the squashes in the pan, cover, and bake in 375° oven for 45 minutes.  Uncover and cook until a fork easily penetrates in the skin. While cooking baste he squashes with the juices.

Serve the squash with some of its juices.

* For those who keep a Gluten Free diet, use GF rice.