Name: Gemista (Greek Stuffed Tomatoes and Peppers)
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 75 min
Total time: 105 min
Ingredients: 6 large tomatoes; 4 bell peppers; 200 g long-grain rice; 1 onion (grated); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1 handful parsley (chopped); 1 handful mint (chopped); 150 ml olive oil; 2 potatoes (cut into wedges); 1 tsp sugar; Salt and black pepper

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Gemista: tomatoes and peppers stuffed with herby rice and baked in olive oil with potatoes until soft and caramelised.

About this Greek recipe

Gemista means filled. It is a summer dish in Greece, usually meat-free, and is often eaten warm or at room temperature with feta and bread.

Ingredients you will need

The main ingredients are large tomatoes, bell peppers, long-grain rice, onion, garlic, parsley. Exact quantities are in the recipe card below.

How long it takes

Allow 1 hr 45 min in total: 30 min of preparation, 1 hr 15 min of cooking. The recipe serves 6.

Gemista (Greek Stuffed Tomatoes and Peppers)

Gemista: tomatoes and peppers stuffed with herby rice and baked in olive oil with potatoes until soft and caramelised.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 1 15

Total Time 1 45

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Greek

Calories: 380

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

6 large tomatoes
4 bell peppers
200 g long-grain rice
1 onion grated
2 cloves garlic minced
1 handful parsley chopped
1 handful mint chopped
150 ml olive oil
2 potatoes cut into wedges
1 tsp sugar
Salt and black pepper

Method

Cut the tops off the tomatoes and peppers and keep as lids. Scoop out the tomatoes and blend the pulp.
Mix the rice, onion, garlic, herbs, half the oil, half the tomato pulp, the sugar, salt and pepper.
Fill the vegetables three-quarters full (the rice expands) and replace the lids.
Arrange in a roasting dish with the potato wedges in between.
Pour over the remaining pulp, oil and 100 ml water. Season.
Bake at 190°C for 60–75 minutes, covered with foil for the first 30, until the rice is tender and the tops caramelised.

Notes

Gemista is even better the next day at room temperature.