Stuffed Vegetables: Gemista

Stuffed vegetables,gemista, are a delicacy of Mediterranean cuisine—-at least for those of us that love vegan dishes—or almost vegan dishes if we pair them with creamy, tasty Feta cheese! Many different vegetables can be stuffed—-peppers, squash, eggplant, and more. Bell peppers are a perfect combination for rice. This is a favorite dish for many. We simply call it, Gemista, in our household (Litsa’s). We immediately know that we are referring to stuffed peppers and tomatoes. If ordering these at a Greek tavern, we look for it as Peppers & Tomatoes Stuffed so that this traditional dish will be served to us. The helpings are wonderful—-ample enough to share with another. Stuffed peppers and tomatoes are usually served with sides of baked potatoes that are cooked alongside the peppers/tomatoes in the oven. All of the flavorings of the dish run together to create a decadent dinner.

Usually, Gemista is one dish that my mother’s grandchildren often enjoy her making. Even if she’s made one dinner—-and a grandchild requests this one, she’ll toss the peppers and the tomatoes in the oven to bake. When the last bite is taken, someone (like my daughter) is sure to request another bite. It is truly that flavorful! The dish can be made with meat or without. In my opinion, this is a perfect dish to recreate for Meatless Mondays. The flavors will satisfy all eaters. There are many variations of this recipe that can be found on the web. As I was floundering with the ingredients in my refrigerator today to recreate this dish, I found this recipe noted on Crete Gazzette. It’s list of ingredients is similar to what we follow at home. The recipe can be recreated with white rice, long grain rice, and/or brown rice. I prefer the healthier rice choices but cooking times must be adjusted to cook different rice varieties.

Try Gemista in your kitchen this year!

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Litsa @How to Have it All

Litsa is a stay at home mom to a beautiful little girl. She is a native of Greece and now resides in Tennessee. As a former teacher, Litsa wears many hats that it takes to make a home a functioning home!