Food

Chef Lynn Crawford shares her take on classic Christmas appetizers by switching out sausage rolls for these zucchini wrapped koftas.

Ingredients

Koftas

1/2 pound ground lamb
1/2 pound ground beef
1 onion, grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup mint, picked and minced
1/4 cup parsley, picked and minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper
4 zucchinis, sliced lengthwise with a peeler or mandoline, skin on
2 tablespoons olive oil

Raita Dip

1 cup balkan yogurt
1 cup grated cucumber, drained and squeezed out
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/4 teaspoon cumin
to taste salt and pepper

Preparation

1. Mix lamb, beef, onion, garlic, spices, salt and pepper together. Do not over mix.
2. Form oval patties, about 2 tablespoons worth of filling, flatten slightly.  
3. Heat greased grill to medium high.
4. Grill the patties for about 2-3 minutes per side. 
5. Meanwhile cover zucchini strips with olive oil, salt and pepper and toss onto the grill. Grill for about 30 seconds per side (until grill marks appear and they soften).
6. When koftas (the meat balls) and zucchini are both grilled, wrap zucchini around them and spear with a skewer.  
7. For a raita dip, mix yogurt, cucumber, lemon, garlic, cumin, salt and pepper together. Serve with wrapped koftas.

More holiday recipes:

Baked Brie Christmas Tree
Roast Turkey with Pear and Walnut Stuffing
Chocolate Glazed Cream Puffs with Eggnog Whipped Cream