Easiest Way to Make Persian Kofta Meatballs

Persian-Style Pumpkin Stew

Kofta is easy to make, full of great aroma and flavor.

Recipe Summary Persian-Style Pumpkin Stew

Are you looking for a new taste of a pumpkin dish? Here it is! This is a Persian sweet and sour stew that my grandma used to cook with fried beef patties instead of beef stew pieces; that one was wonderful too. This stew is served with cooked rice.

Ingredients | Persian Kofta Meatballs

3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

½ pumpkin - peeled, seeded, and cut into 2-inch cubes

1 small onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

½ teaspoon ground turmeric

1 pound beef stew meat, cut into 1 inch cubes

2 cups water

½ teaspoon ground black pepper

12 pitted prunes

2 tablespoons vinegar

2 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons salt

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

⅓ teaspoon saffron (Optional)

Directions

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in skillet over medium high heat. Add pumpkin and saute until light golden brown, about 5 minutes

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a stock pot over medium high heat. Add onions and garlic and saute over medium-high heat until golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in tumeric. Add beef and saute until brown, about 5 minutes. Add water, salt, and pepper; bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until beef is slightly tender, about 30 minutes.

Stir pumkin, prunes, vinegar, sugar, salt, and cinnamon to stock pot and simmer until beef and pumpkin are tender, about 45 minutes. Garnish with saffron.

Eight 2-inch cubes of pumkin is enough for 4 servings, but you can add more if you like.

I like to substitute yellow squash for the pumpkin. If you like more tasty stew you can add more sugar or vinegar.

Info | Persian Kofta Meatballs

prep: 20 mins cook: 1 hr 30 mins total: 1 hr 50 mins Servings: 4 Yield: 4 servings

TAG : Persian-Style Pumpkin Stew

Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes, Stews, Beef,