Stuffed turnips (Mehshi el-lefet)

February 25, 2014  •  Category:

One of many stuffed vegetable dishes (mehshi)  from the region; this one is most likely Aleppian (Syrian) or Palestinian. It is very simple, with minimal spices (black pepper, a touch of cinnamon). The only difference with the Lebanese-style stuffed veggies is the sauce. The sauce is made with tamarind and water (and lots of garlic). Tamarind is reputed to be excellent for one’s health and is the drink of choice during the Holy month of Ramadan; it is found in ethnic stores, Latino markets, Indian and Arab groceries. 

For a vegan version of this dish, use coarse bulgur (previously soaked in hot water 15 minutes) and lentils. The turnip pulp can be used in a soup or pilaf or as a side steamed and buttered. 


INGREDIENTS: 4 to 6 servings (main course)

  • 2 pounds turnips (pick small to medium ones of similar size)
  • Stuffing: 1/2 cup short-grain rice (sushi, Egyptian, Turkish, Italian), soaked in water
  • 1/2 pound ground meat (fatty is OK)
  • salt, pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 cup oil or clarified butter
  • 1 cup dry tamarind, soaked in one cup of water for 30 minutes (or more)
  • 2 or 3 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon garlic paste (about 6 cloves, mashed with salt in a mortar)
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon sugar or honey or grape molasses

dup core turnips

dup fry turnips

dup strain tamarind

simmer in pot

1. Core the turnips, reserving the pulp for a soup or a pilaf or just as a side (steamed and buttered). Mix the meat, rice and spices and stuff the turnips with the mixture. 

2. Heat the oil in a Dutch oven and fry the turnips on all sides till golden; strain the tamaring, pressing on it to extract as much juice as possible. Drain the pot of the extra oil, pour the tamarind and extra water; add the mashed garlic, salt and pepper and a dash of cinnamon. bring to a simmer and let it bubble-up gently for 30 minutes; taste and add a dash of sugar if it is too sour if desired. Serve.

dup stuffed turnips

NOTE: Any leftover tamarind (soaked) can be diluted in water with some sugar and a couple of teaspoons of rose water; it makes an excellent drink.

Comments

7 Comments  •  Comments Feed

  1. Reply

    Rosa says:

    An interesting and refined way of serving turnips! This dish is simply fantastic.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    On February 25, 2014 at 12:19 pm

  2. Reply

    Velva says:

    It has never occurred to me to stuff turnips- why not? It is a great idea. This looks really good. It is creative and simple….Nice!

    On February 25, 2014 at 5:57 pm

  3. Reply

    Ozlem'sTurkish Table says:

    Beautiful dish and very creative; I recently made stuffed courgettes with ground meat, chickpeas with pomegranate molasses – I think in Antakya it is called shih-el mahsi?- at my cooking class in Istanbul, it was a big hit, Now I am really looking forward to trying out your recipe:)

    On February 26, 2014 at 4:56 am

  4. Reply

    Nuts about food says:

    I had never thought of stuffing a turnip before… but now that you showed me how, I can’t imagine why I had never thought of it before. Loe the idea of the tamarind sauce.

    On February 27, 2014 at 4:52 am

  5. Reply

    Tim Vidra says:

    Beautiful! I love turnips and never thought to stuff them. Definitely trying this!

    On February 27, 2014 at 9:08 am

  6. Reply

    sara says:

    Do you cook the lentils before you stuff them into the turnips?

    On August 26, 2021 at 8:14 pm

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