Punjena Tikvica

Name: Punjena Tikvica
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 45 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 6 medium zucchini; 1/2 lb ground beef; 1/2 cup long-grain rice; 1 small onion, chopped; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 large egg; 2 cups tomato sauce; 2 tbsp sunflower oil; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp sweet paprika; 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Punjena tikvica are tender zucchini boats, hollowed out, stuffed with a savory meat-and-rice filling, and baked in a light tomato sauce.

⏱ 30 minPrep time

🔥 45 minCook time

🍽 6Servings

🏷 Balkan KitchenCategory

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Punjena tikvica are tender zucchini boats, hollowed out, stuffed with a savory meat-and-rice filling, and baked in a light tomato sauce. The zucchini turns silky and soaks up every bit of flavor.

A summertime favorite across the Balkans, stuffed zucchini are served warm with a spoonful of yogurt on top. They are the lighter, garden-fresh cousin of stuffed peppers, and just as eagerly anticipated.

Balkan recipes →

Step by stepInstructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Halve the zucchini lengthwise, scoop out the flesh, chop it, and reserve.
Brown the beef with the onion and garlic; stir in the rice, chopped zucchini flesh, salt, pepper, paprika, and parsley.
Cook 5 minutes, remove from the heat, and bind with the egg.
Fill the zucchini shells, arrange them in a baking dish, and pour the tomato sauce over and around them.
Cover and bake 35 minutes, then uncover and bake 10-15 minutes more. Rest 10 minutes before serving.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Scoop the zucchini flesh with a spoon, leaving a 1/4-inch shell so the boats hold their shape. Young, small zucchini need no peeling.

Recipe details

Prep30 min

Cook45 min

Servings6

CategoryBalkan Kitchen

PublishedAugust 17, 2026

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →

Punjena Tikvica

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Punjena Tikvica

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