Assyrian Zucchini Stew with Beef or Lamb
Rich and flavorful Zucchini Stew with chunks of beef or lamb. Serve this delicious Assyrian stew over white rice or with some bread on the side.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 403kcal
Ingredients
- 1½ pound beef or lamb
- 2-3 medium zucchini (approximately 3½ cups sliced)
- 1 medium yellow onion (minced)
- 1 medium tomato (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (slivered)
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon paprika powder
- 6 ounces tomato paste (1 can)
- 1½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Cut meat into 3" portions, rinse and add to a 5-quart Dutch oven. Add 6 cups of water and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 30 to 45 minutes, or until tender. Skim the foam that collects on the surface as needed.
- While the meat is cooking, slice the zucchini into ¼" slices, mince the onion, chop the tomato, and slice the garlic.
- Remove the meat from the pot and pour the broth through a strainer over a bowl or a large measuring cup and set aside until needed. Rinse the meat and the pot if necessary.
- Heat oil in the same pot and add the minced onion and the meat. Cook over medium heat for a few minutes until the meat is browned and the onion is sautéed. Stir the paprika powder in during the last few minutes.
- Add the sliced zucchini, chopped tomato, and sliced garlic to the pot. Dissolve tomato paste into the reserved broth, along with the salt and lemon juice. Pour this liquid over the pot ingredients and stir. If using cayenne pepper, add that now. Cover and simmer for an additional 30 minutes.
Optional
- While the zucchini stew is cooking, prepare some Basmati or Jasmine rice. Serve the stew over the rice.
Notes
- To make vegetarian Zucchini Stew, leave out the meat and use vegetable broth instead. Follow the remaining recipe steps as written.
- Whenever possible, choose smaller zucchini to make this stew. They not only taste better, but they don't have large seeds in them.
- If possible, use meat with bones because the bones add a lot more flavor to the stew.
- Zucchini Stew is sometimes served with bread instead of rice. The bread is either torn into chunks and the stew is poured over it, or the bread is used to dunk into the stew.
- Assyrian stews are usually served with a bowl full of herbs, radishes, and onions on the side. Pickles are also a popular side.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 403kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 106mg | Sodium: 819mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 9g