Traditional Greek Recipes: Gemista (Stuffed Vegetables with rice and ground meat)

·

By Victoria Loutas

No matter who you ask, everyone will tell you that “my Yiayia makes the best Gemista!” so we thought to teach you how to make your own Gemista just as good as Yiayia’s!

Gemista is traditionally a vegetarian dish with roasted vegetables stuffed with a rice filling. 

Today, gemista is often filled with rice and ground meat stuffing and is served with roast potatoes, making it a staple meal in most Greek households. 

Ingredients

For the vegetables:

  • 6 tomatoes
  • 4 capcicums
  • 4 eggplants

For the stuffing:

  • 1 onion
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 1 ½  cups rice
  • ½ bunch mint
  • ½ bunch parsley
  • 500g ground mince beef
  • 400g water
  • Salt & paper
  • Grated tomato and eggplant (from inside of vegetables)
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Method

For the vegetables:

  1. Begging by removing the top part of the tomatoes and eggplants. Set aside to use later as the “lid”. Scoop out the flesh from the tomatoes and eggplant and set aside for the filling mixture. 
  2. Cut the tops of the capsicum and set aside to use as a lids. Scoop the inside seed out and throw away.
  3. Place the vegetable onto a baking pan

For the stuffing:

  1. Preheat oven to 180celsius
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a frying pan
  3. Finely chop the onion and garlic and add to the pan along with the granulated sugar
  4. Add the ground beef and the eggplant and tomato flesh to the pan. Let the mince brown
  5. Add the rice and water. Season with salt and pepper and lower the heat to let simmer. 
  6. Once the filling is ready, remove from the heat and let rest for 5 minutes

Kali Oreksi! 

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

‘I will never forget you’: Emotional farewell for Greek Consul General in Sydney

An emotional Greek Consul General Yannis Mallikourtis delivered his farewell speech on Monday evening at Business Sydney’s Event Centre.

Adelaide’s St Sophrony Parish raises funds for hall construction

The newly established St Sophrony of Essex parish in Hectorville, Adelaide, held its first official fundraising dinner on Sunday, June 29.

From homelessness to homeowner: Kostas Papadimitropoulos shares his inspirational story

Melbourne man Kostas Papadimitropoulos has turned his life around after being scammed out of his life savings and forced to live in his car.

Sydney Dance Company shines at Athens Epidaurus Festival with ‘Impermanence’

The Sydney Dance Company captivated a crowd of 5,000 at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus last week, performing 'Impermanence.'

Former ATO worker Paraskevi Vula Danassis convicted in $2 billion GST scam

Former Australian Taxation Office employee Paraskevi Vula Danassis has been convicted over her role in a $2 billion GST fraud scheme.

You May Also Like

‘StaEllinika’ app brings Greek mythology to diasporic preschoolers

Greek mythology courses for diasporic preschoolers and young adults have been added to the StaEllinika app.

Stella Magnisalis demands inquiry into SA police force after ex jailed

Ex-wife Stella Magnisalis of a former South Australia Police detective has accused the force of protecting her abusive partner for years.

‘Democracy has won’: Golden Dawn guilty verdict celebrated across Greece

Following guilty verdicts against the Golden Dawn group, Athens has seen a day of jubilation, tears and tear gas.