Lebanese Pumpkin Kibbeh
Kibbeh is a very popular dish in most Middle Eastern countries that often has the form of a small football. Baked Kibbeh is a kind of pie. For the crust mix bulgur (cracked wheat) with pumpkin. The filling combines meat, spinach, and optional nuts with a baharat spice blend. Or substitute garbanzo beans for meat.
Ingredients
Protein
- 1 lb ground beef
Fresh Produce
- 10 oz baby spinach washed
- 1/2 lb pumpkin peeled, deseeded, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 medium onion thinly sliced
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 1 lemon for juice
Dairy
- 1 cup yogurt plain
- butter
Packaged Goods/Staples
- 1 cup bulgur number 1 fine
- salt
Optional
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- salad of your choice
Kibbeh Culinary Spice Kit
- [1] Chili, black pepper, cumin, coriander, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves
- [2] Nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, fenugreek, allspice, ginger
Instructions
Filling
- In a PAN, heat 1 tbsp butter over medium heat.
- Cook onion slices for 5 minutes.
- Add meat, Kibbeh [1] spices, salt to taste, and nuts (optional).
- Cook until meat is cooked through. Stir frequently to break the meat up.
- Add spinach and cook for 2 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Kibbeh
- Cook pumpkin in salted water until soft. Take it out.
- Use the cooking water to prepare bulgur according to package instructions.
- Mash pumpkin and mix with chopped onions.
- Gradually stir in bulgur to receive a moist mixture.
- Add Kibbeh [2] spices and salt to taste.
Bake
- Preheat OVEN to 375°F.
- Grease a 2 qt. BAKING DISH.
- Add 3 layers:
- half of the Kibbeh, the filling, then the rest of the Kibbeh.
- Press and flatten the surface.
- Create a nice pattern with a fork.
- Spread 1 tbsp melted butter on top.
- Bake in the OVEN 30 – 45 minutes until the surface begins to brown.
Serve
- Serve with yogurt mixed with lemon juice to taste as dressing and salad as a side (optional).
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Substitute beef with lamb, chicken, or 1 can garbanzo beans (15 oz).
- Substitute pumpkin with zucchini or potatoes.
Marceline Reid-Jaques
2022-12-14
Karen Jones
2022-12-05
Wonderful, flavorful meals using readily available ingredients!
ann davis
2022-11-29
My daughter gave me a subscription as a Christmas present while our families were quarantining together. It was so much fun! It introduced us to several cuisines that were totally new to us. The recipes were easy to follow and the spices were transformative - fresh and pungent and delicious.
Jessica Brown
2022-05-22
The best way to try new dishes!
