Turkish Zucchini Stew Recipe (2024)

This Turkish zucchini stew is hearty, healthy and so easy to make. It's made in one pot and is ready in just 30 minutes.

Vegetables are a big part of Turkish cuisine and they are incorporated into dishes in creative ways. Vegetarian dishes such as Turkish braised leeks, red lentil soup and this zucchini stew are very popular. Like many other Mediterranean recipes, this recipe calls for wholesome ingredients and is very easy to make.

Why this recipe works

A well known category in Turkish cuisine is zeytinyağlı yemekler which translates to dishes made with olive oil. This zucchini stew, also known as kabak yemegi is a recipe from this category that many love. Just like our favorite Turkish chicken stew, this dish is loved by many and there are good reasons for it:

• Quick: This dish is ready in 30 minutes and most of it is hands-off.
• Vegetarian: If you're following a vegetarian diet, this would be a filling dish for lunch or dinner. If you're interested in vegetarian recipes with zucchini, make sure to check out our zucchini fritters as well.
• Flavors: While this might seem like a simple zucchini recipe, it's full of flavor thanks to spices and vegetables.
• Healthy: everything is cooked in a good amount of olive oil which make it very hearty and good for you. Similar to fasolakia (Greek green beans), this zucchini stew is a vegetable based dish that can be served as a main or side dish.

Ingredients and substitutions

• Olive oil: Quality extra virgin olive oil works best for this recipe.
• Zucchini: You can use green or yellow zucchini for this recipe. You don't need to peel the zucchini therefore make sure to wash it thoroughly.
• Tomato paste: Because tomato paste is pretty concentrated, you only need a tablespoon of it for this recipe.
• Rice: Medium grain rice works best here but if it's not available, you can use basmati rice.

Instructions

1. Cut the zucchini into half moons and set aside.
2. Sauté onion and garlic in some olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add in the tomato paste and cook for a few minutes so it releases its color and aroma.
4. Add in the zucchini and cook for 5 minutes.
5. Rinse the rice and add it to the zucchini. Add in the spices and water. Bring it to a low simmer, cover and cook for 20 to 25 minutes.

Serving suggestion

Turkish zucchini stew is usually served with a dollop of plain yogurt (try our homemade yogurt) and some herbs. You can try making yogurt at home using your instant pot. This zucchini stew can also be served as a side dish with grilled zaatar chicken, baked cod or beef shish kabob.

If serving stewed zucchini as a main dish, serve it with a side of tomato salad, Greek salad or Mediterranean salad for a complete meal.

Frequently asked questions

Freezing zucchini stew

Store the zucchini stew in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw it in the fridge overnight or place it directly in a pot and heat over medium until it's simmering.

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