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Stuffed Onions (“Salantourmasi”) from Kastelorizo

Onions stuffed with a mixture of rice and tomatoes is found in several varitions in different parts of Greece, from Galaxidi to Lesvos to the southernmost Dodecanese island of Kastelorizo, where this recipe is from. It's one of my favorites because it speaks tomes for how simple cooks manage to take the simplest ingredients and turn them into something ingenious, extraordinary and delicious. Make these delicate stuffed onions even tastier with the addition of authentic, carefully curated Greek olive oils and other ingredients, on my online store here.
Course dinner, Lunch, meze
Cuisine Greek cuisine, Mediterranean diet
Keyword Diane Kochilas, kastelorizo, stuffed vegetables, stuffed veggies, whole onions
PREP TIME 15 minutes
COOK TIME 50 minutes
SERVES 8

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. / 1 k onions
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin Greek olive oil
  • 2 large onions chopped
  • 1 ½ cup long-grain white rice
  • 1 ½ cup grated tomatoes
  • 1 cup fresh mint chopped
  • ½ cup fresh parsley chopped
  • ½ tsp cumin powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. 1. Peel the onions. Using a sharp paring knife, score the onions lengthwise.
  2. 2. Bring a large pot full of water to a boil and blanch the onions for 2-4 minutes until softened. Remove with a slotted spoon. When cool enough to handle, hold one onion at a time and peel away the outer layers, one by one. Chop the inner core and set aside to use in the filling.
  3. 2. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large, heavy skillet and sauté the chopped, raw onions until softened. Add the blanched, chopped cores. Stir in the rice. Add ½ cup water. Cook over low heat until all liquids are absorbed. Stir in the tomatoes. Cook over low heat until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and stir in the herbs, cumin, and salt and pepper.
  4. 3. Spread a few tablespoons of olive oil on the bottom of a large pot. Spoon one teaspoon of the filling at a time into each onion layer. Roll lengthwise and overlap the outer rim to secure closed. Continue until all ingredients are used. Arrange the onions tightly side by side inside the pot. Add a second layer, if needed. Add enough water to come half way up the onions. Place a plate over the onions to keep them from opening up. Cover and cook over medium-low heat until the rice is cooked. Remove from heat, let cool, and serve.