Gemista — Keto Stuffed Tomatoes and Peppers

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Gemista — Keto Stuffed Tomatoes and Peppers, plated and ready to serve

Gemista are summer on a plate — tomatoes and bell peppers hollowed out, stuffed with a fragrant herb-and-meat filling, topped with their own caps, and baked until blistered and sweet. In the keto version the rice is replaced with cauliflower rice, and the result is one of the most beautiful and satisfying dishes in this book.

What You’ll Need

Ingredients for Gemista — Keto Stuffed Tomatoes and Peppers

Gemista — Keto Stuffed Tomatoes and Peppers

Gemista are summer on a plate — tomatoes and bell peppers hollowed out, stuffed with a fragrant herb-and-meat filling, topped with their own caps, and baked until blistered and sweet.
Print Recipe
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Greek
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 280kcal

Ingredients

  • 6 large ripe tomatoes
  • 4 large bell peppers (any color)
  • 1 lb ground beef or lamb
  • 2 cups cauliflower rice
  • 1 small onion grated
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/4 cup each fresh mint parsley, and dill, chopped
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt pepper, and pinch of cinnamon

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375F (190C). Slice tops off tomatoes and peppers and reserve as caps. Scoop out tomato pulp and rough-chop; discard seeds from peppers.
  • Cook onion and garlic in olive oil 5 minutes. Add meat and brown. Add cauliflower rice, tomato pulp, tomato paste, herbs, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Cook 5 minutes.
  • Fill tomatoes and peppers with the meat mixture. Replace their caps. Arrange in a snug baking dish.
  • Drizzle with olive oil. Add 1/2 cup water to the bottom of the dish.
  • Bake 50-60 minutes until vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 280kcal | Protein: 20g | Fat: 16g | Fiber: 4g
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Cooking Gemista — Keto Stuffed Tomatoes and Peppers in the kitchen

Health Benefits

  • Bell peppers contain capsanthin and beta-carotene, powerful antioxidants converted to vitamin A in the body for eye and skin health.
  • Tomatoes baked until concentrated are one of the richest food sources of lycopene.
  • Cauliflower provides a full spectrum of B vitamins plus vitamin C.

Pairs Well With

  • Tomato-Cucumber Salad with Herb Oil
  • Fasolakia — Greek Green Beans in Tomato
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