Iraqi Dolma (Stuffed Vegetables)
Iraqi Cuisine

Iraqi Dolma (Stuffed Vegetables)

Iraqi Dolma – an assortment of mixed vegetables and grape leaves stuffed with spiced rice and minced meat, a beloved centerpiece for special gatherings.

120 min
Total Time
8 servings
Servings
Hard
Difficulty
Iraq
Origin

Ingredients

  • Grape leaves 0.5 kg
  • Cored baby zucchini and small eggplants 1 kg
  • Rice 2 cup
  • Ground meat 300 g
  • Chopped tomatoes and tomato paste 3 piece
  • Dried mint and dolma spice mix 1 tbsp
  • Garlic 1 head
  • Fresh lemon juice 2 tbsp

Instructions

  1. 1 Frying

    Combine the rice, ground meat, dolma spices, dried mint, and a spoonful of tomato paste in a large bowl to prepare the filling.

  2. 2 Preparation

    Roll the grape leaves tightly into neat small parcels, and stuff the cored zucchini and eggplants with the same filling.

  3. 3 Preparation

    Arrange the stuffed vegetables and grape leaves tightly in a large pot, nestling whole garlic cloves between the layers.

  4. 4 Preparation

    Pour in water mixed with tomato paste and lemon juice to cover the dolma, then place an inverted heatproof plate on top to weigh them down.

  5. 5 Simmering

    Simmer gently over low heat until the vegetables and rice are completely tender, then flip onto a large platter and serve hot.