Description
Gemista are traditional Greek stuffed tomatoes and peppers filled with a fragrant mixture of rice, herbs, and olive oil, baked until tender and flavorful for a classic Mediterranean comfort dish.
Ingredients
- 4 large tomatoes
- 4 bell peppers
- 1/2 cup short-grain rice
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 medium potatoes, cut into wedges (optional)
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F).
- Cut the tops off the tomatoes and peppers and carefully scoop out the pulp; reserve tomato pulp.
- Finely chop the tomato pulp and set aside.
- In a bowl, mix rice, onion, garlic, chopped tomato pulp, parsley, mint, oregano, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Stuff the tomatoes and peppers about 3/4 full with the rice mixture.
- Arrange the stuffed vegetables in a baking dish.
- Add potato wedges around the vegetables if using.
- Pour water into the bottom of the dish and drizzle extra olive oil over the vegetables.
- Cover loosely with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for another 30 minutes until vegetables are tender and lightly browned.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Do not overfill, as rice expands while cooking.
- Gemista taste even better the next day.
- You may add pine nuts or raisins for variation.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 75 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek