Zucchini Mousakka with Garbanzo Beans (Nohutlu Kabak Musakka)

There is something special about moussaka recipes; they always turn out great. Although moussaka, the term Arabic in origin, does not resemble the Arabic dish which is a kind of cold eggplant appetizer; although moussaka means a different dish in a lot of countries such as Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, and Turkey; and although the moussaka dish has numerous versions even in one country, a moussaka dish is always delicious. In Turkish cuisine moussaka is usually prepared with fried eggplant, tomato, peppers, and ground meat.

This zucchini musakka recipe comes from Musa Dağdeviren, the owner and chef of famous Çiya Restaurant in İstanbul. I had also tried his mualle recipe before. This is not well-known or traditional recipe since it uses garbanzo beans. I replaced ground lamb with ground beef and it is still delicious. If you want to try it with ground lamb, you can find the original recipe here.


4 medium zucchinis, halved lengthwise and sliced 1/4 inch thick
1/4 cup ground meat
2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
4-5 cloves of garlic, minced
3-4 tomatoes, diced or 1 can of petite diced tomato
1 cup of cooked garbanzo beans
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 1/2 tbsp red pepper paste or chile sauce
1/2 bunch parsley, finely chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint or 1 tbsp dried mint flakes
salt
ground pepper

-Prepare a bowl of salty water and soak sliced zucchini for half an hour.
-Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a broad deep pan. Add ground meat and cook until browned and all the juice is gone. 
-Add garlic and onion, cook for approximately 5 more minutes.
-Add tomato paste and pepper paste (or chile sauce). Let simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
-Stir in diced tomato. Cook for they change color, ~5 minutes.
-Add zucchini slices. Stir and then let simmer on low to medium heat, until tender.
-Stir in garbanzo beans. Cook for a couple of minutes.
-Season with salt and pepper. Transfer zucchini musakka into a bowl. Sprinkle with mint and parsley.
-Musakkas are always good with white rice, crusty bread, and yogurt.

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