Print

Pumpkin Kibbeh

Servings 12 balls

Ingredients

For the Filling:

  • 1/3 cup chopped onion
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1/2 cup cooked chickpeas/garbanzo beans (canned is fine)
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/3 cup cooked and chopped spinach (frozen is fine, thawed and squeezed until well drained)
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2-1/2 tsp. lemon juice

For the Pumpkin Shell:

  • 1 cup pumpkin puree canned or fresh
  • 2 cups #1 fine bulgur unwashed
  • 1/3 cup all purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp. grated onion
  • 2 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp. ground allspice
  • 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
  • vegetable oil for frying
  • chopped parsley and quartered lemons

Instructions

  • To make the filling, saute the onions in the olive oil until just soft, about 5 minutes. Add the chickpeas, walnuts, spinach, salt, pepper and lemon juice. Remove from the heat and set aside.
  • To make the pumpkin shell, combine the pumpkin, bulgur, flour, onion and seasonings and mix well. Set aside for 10 minutes to let the bulgur soften. If the dough appears dry, add a few drops of water and knead well.
  • Here's a tricky part....To shape the kibbeh, knead about 2 Tbsp. of the pumpkin mixture until it holds together. Keeping your hands moist, form a smooth football-shaped oval. Stick your thumb into one end and turn the ball between your thumb and forefinger to create space inside for the filling. Fill the space with 2 tsp. of filling. Pinch the end of the football closed and gently roll to reshape if necessary. Repeat until all the dough and filling is used.
  • Using a deep saute pan, add enough vegetable oil to come no more than 1/3 up the sides. Heat until a deep fat fry thermometer registers 375 degrees. Using a tablespoon, carefully slide the balls into the oil, three or four at a time. Don't crowd them in; fry for 2 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Repeat in batches until all are fried.