Over Labor Day weekend, I was introduced to Lebanese Koosa, a famous classic dish in Lebanon, but also found in Syria and Jordan as well. My first introduction to it was not at a restaurant, but from a friend’s mother, who is Palestinian. I try to stay away from milk/dairy products so nearly turned the offer down (what was I thinking?).
The dish is prepared in milk on a pot simmering over the phone but I was able to just grab the stuffed squash from the milky soup. OMG!! I absolutely loved it. The squash needs to be hollowed out and then stuffed with ground lamb, rice and spices, one of which is cumin, a favorite of mine. Here’s a recipe from the Food.com site you can try. Here’s another one and another here. AND, from Lebanese recipes.
The type of squash used to make the dish is also called by the same name and families consider the dish special; in other words, not something that is made on a daily basis. There’s work involved and I was able to watch some of their efforts as lamb, rice and other veggies took over their kitchen counter.
Let’s just say, I’m a fan!
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
