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Caribbean Stuffed Vegetables

Serves 4 to 6 Appetizer vegetarian, Appetizers

Caribbean Stuffed Vegetables

Caribbean Stuffed Vegetables are a beloved staple found on family tables across the islands. Whether gathered for a casual Sunday lunch or a celebratory dinner, this dish embodies the everyday comfort of Caribbean home cooking. Generous with salt and olive oil, the preparation reflects a tradition where flavors are adjusted by instinct and taste rather than strict measurement, capturing the essence of island hospitality.

The dish offers a harmonious blend of textures and flavors, with the softness of roasted peppers or tomatoes enveloping a savory filling of rice, onions, and herbs. Each bite delivers a satisfying combination of warmth and richness, with a gentle seasoning of sea salt and black pepper enhancing the natural sweetness of the vegetables. It's a dish meant for sharing, inviting everyone to gather around and enjoy the simple pleasures of home-cooked Caribbean cuisine.

Ingredients

  • 4peppers or tomatoes
  • 150 grice
  • 1onion
  • 80 mlolive oil
  • herbs — chopped
  • to tastefine sea salt and black pepper

Method

  1. Start by preparing your vegetables. If using peppers, slice off the tops and remove the seeds and membranes inside. For tomatoes, cut a thin slice off the top and scoop out the insides with a spoon, being careful not to pierce the skin. Set these prepared vegetables aside on a plate, ready for stuffing.
  2. Rinse 150 g of rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming too sticky. Drain the rice well and set it aside.
  3. Finely chop 1 onion. In a large skillet, heat 80 ml of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it turns translucent and soft, releasing a sweet aroma. This should take about 5 minutes, and it will form the base flavor for your stuffing.
  4. Add the rinsed rice to the skillet with the onions, stirring to coat the grains in the oil. This step helps the rice absorb the flavors and prevents it from sticking together. Stir in your choice of herbs, such as thyme or parsley, and season with fine sea salt and black pepper to taste.
  5. Carefully spoon the rice mixture into the prepared peppers or tomatoes, filling them generously but not packing them too tightly, as the rice will expand as it cooks. Place the stuffed vegetables in a baking dish, ensuring they are snugly fit to prevent them from tipping over.
  6. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to trap steam, which will help cook the rice evenly. Place the dish in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F). Bake until the vegetables are tender and the rice is fully cooked, absorbing the flavors and moisture from the vegetables. The peppers should be slightly charred and the tomatoes soft, indicating doneness.
  7. Once baked, remove the foil and let the stuffed vegetables cool for a few minutes. Finish with a sprinkle of fine sea salt to enhance the flavors. Serve the Caribbean Stuffed Vegetables warm, inviting everyone to share in this hearty, flavorful dish.
Cover of Authentic Caribbean Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Caribbean Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Caribbean Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Caribbean volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Available soon on Amazon…

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