Mfaraket Koosa’ or Beef & Zucchini hash
This recipe is a wonderful pot meal one that will make excellent use of all the remaining zucchini squash. This traditional dish is a staple in the Syrian kitchen that is adored for its simplicity and versatility. While ‘koosa’ means zucchini squash, ‘mfarakeh’ is part of a family of recipes made of ground beef, onion, and a given vegetable. The only common factor is the simplicity of mfarakeh dishes. They are usually easy to make, quick, simple.
The word Mufarakeh could be roughly translated to rubbed or massaged.
Ingredients:
5 medium-sized zucchini
1 large onion, diced
3 tablespoons Olive oil
1/2 pound lean ground beef
Salt, pepper, and seven spice mix
Syrian salad, for serving
Directions:
1. Cut zucchini into small cubes. Lay them on a baking sheet and allow to dry out in the sun for approximately two hours (this is a trick to keep zucchini nice & crisp and prevent sogginess).
2. Heat two tablespoons of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Cook zucchini for approximately 3 minutes, taking care not to overcook. You want the zucchini to remain crisp. Remove zucchini from the pan and set aside.
3. Heat one tablespoon of oil in a pan. Add diced onion over medium heat and cook for 15-20 minutes.
4. Add ground beef to onion mixture and continue to cook on medium heat until cooked through, about 3 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and 7 spice mix.
5. Add zucchini to ground beef mixture and cook for a final 5 minutes or until zucchini is fork-tender, taking care not to overcook the squash.
Serve it hot with yogurt or syrian salad on the side.
And sahtein
Lara Khouli