Syrian zucchini dip (Mutawam kusa)

For generations, the parents and grandparents have planted olive trees for their kids.

Traditionally, the farmers enjoy using the long-awaited freshly pressed olive oil with a variety of recipes like seeds, olive oil bread and musakhan.

Mutawam kusa  (Mutawam means that which is infused with garlic in Arabic and kusa is the Arabic word for zucchini). To prepare it, zucchini is first grilled then it is mixed with a blend of yogurt and labneh for creaminess, garlic for zing and mint to balance everything out with a hint of freshness.

1 kg zucchini

250 g yogurt

2 tablespoons labneh

3 tablespoons chopped mint leaves

1 clove garlic minced

Salt to taste

2-3 tablespoons olive oil

1- Wash the zucchini , remove the tops and cut each into quarters lengthwise

2- Grill the zucchini in the oven for 1.5 hours to 2 hours in a 180C oven

3- Peel the zucchini trying to remove the peel only, leaving as much as possible from the pulp

4- Chop the zucchini finely

5- Mix the zucchini with the yogurt, garlic, mint, labneh and salt.

6- Add the olive oil at the time of serving