Gemista: Greek Stuffed Tomatoes & Peppers
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
30 mins
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Cook Time
1 hr 30 mins
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Total Time
2 hrs
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Servings
8 servings
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Greek
Gemista: Greek Stuffed Tomatoes & Peppers
Description
Gemista: Greek Stuffed Tomatoes & Peppers involves preparing ripe tomatoes and green bell peppers by removing their interiors and using the tomato flesh to create a fresh purée. This purée is combined with glutinous rice, finely chopped onions, garlic, fresh herbs including mint, basil, and parsley, and seasoned with salt, black pepper, and olive oil before being stuffed back into the hollowed vegetables. The vegetables are arranged in an ovenproof dish and baked gently at 170°C until the rice inside is tender and the vegetables are cooked through. The inclusion of pine nuts and raisins can add a subtle sweetness and crunch, enriching the texture and flavor complexity.
The resulting dish combines the sweet acidity of the tomato base with the herbaceous, slightly oily rice filling, creating a balanced, comforting vegetarian entrée or side dish. The rice inside is moist and tender but not mushy, owing to the moderate baking temperature and careful filling level that allows for rice expansion.
Gemista is typically served warm or at room temperature and can accompany other Greek dishes or be enjoyed on its own as a light meal. The freshness of herbs and the natural sweetness of the tomatoes and peppers are highlights of this recipe.
The recipe suggests filling the vegetables about two-thirds full to allow room for the rice to expand during baking. Including raisins and pine nuts is optional, but recommended for authentic flavor. Using glutinous rice helps the filling hold together during cooking. Be sure to keep the baking temperature low (170°C) so that the vegetables cook gently without drying out.
Ingredients
- 5 tomatoes ripe
- 5 green pepper
For the filling:
- 2 onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 250 g glace rice glutinous
- 400 g tomato juice
- 10-12 mint finely chopped, leaves
- 10 basil finely chopped, leaves
- ½ parsley finely chopped, bunch
- salt
- black pepper
- 100 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 150-200 ml water lukewarm
- pine nuts (optional)
- raisins (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 170° C (338° F) Fan.
For the vegetables:
- Rinse the tomatoes and bell peppers. Using a sharp knife, slice off the top of each one so you have cap to cover them with once they are filled.
- Using a spoon, scoop out the flesh from the tomatoes. Add the flesh to a food processor and purée.
- Remove the pith and seeds from the green peppers. You can either discard them or purée them along with the tomato flesh.
- Using a sharp knife, slice off just a little of the bottom of the green peppers, to help them stand in the pan. Make sure you don’t cut through and create a hole.
- Arrange the vegetables nicely in a large 30x26 cm (10 x 12 - inch) roasting pan or ovenproof dish.
For the filling:
- In a large bowl, add the puréed tomato flesh, onion, garlic, rice, mint, basil, parsley, tomato juice and 50 ml (1/4 cups) olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Stir.
- Add the filling to the tomatoes and green peppers. Fill them ⅔ of the way, since the filling will fluff up when baking. Add any remaining filling in the baking pan. Season with salt and pepper, drizzle with the remaining 50 ml (1/4 cups) of olive oil and add the lukewarm water.
- Cover the tomatoes and green peppers with their caps. Cover the baking pan with aluminum foil and bake for 1 ½ hours. Remove the aluminum foil for the final 15 minutes of baking.
- When ready, remove from the oven and set aside for 10 minutes before serving. Serve with Greek feta cheese for a completely authentic Greek taste!
Notes
- Fill the tomatoes and peppers about two-thirds full to allow rice expansion during baking.
- Adding raisins and pine nuts to the filling creates a traditional Greek flavor contrast.
- Use glutinous rice for a cohesive filling texture that holds well when baked.
- Maintain a low oven temperature (around 170°C) to bake the vegetables evenly and prevent drying.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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