Description
Gemista is a traditional Greek dish featuring tomatoes and peppers stuffed with a fragrant mixture of rice, herbs, and vegetables, then baked until tender. Naturally vegan and gluten-free, it’s a wholesome and flavorful Mediterranean comfort food.
Ingredients
4 large ripe tomatoes
4 bell peppers (any color)
1 1/2 cups short-grain rice
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup olive oil (plus more for drizzling)
1 medium zucchini, grated
1 medium carrot, grated
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Salt and pepper to taste
1 medium potato, peeled and cut into wedges (optional)
1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Slice off the tops of the tomatoes and peppers and set aside. Scoop out the tomato pulp into a bowl and remove seeds and membranes from the peppers.
- Blend or finely chop the tomato pulp until smooth.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until translucent.
- Add grated zucchini and carrot, and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the rice and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Pour in the blended tomato pulp, season with salt, pepper, and cinnamon, and simmer for 8–10 minutes until liquid is mostly absorbed.
- Remove from heat and stir in parsley and mint.
- Stuff each tomato and pepper with the rice mixture, leaving room for expansion. Replace the tops.
- Arrange stuffed vegetables in a baking dish. Add potato wedges if using. Drizzle with olive oil and pour water into the bottom of the dish.
- Cover with foil and bake for 60 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 15–20 minutes until vegetables are tender and slightly golden.
Notes
Use short-grain rice for a creamy filling texture.
Can be served hot, room temperature, or cold.
Leftovers taste even better the next day.
Add cheese or pine nuts for variation if desired.
Freezes well for future meals.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed vegetable with filling
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
