Kufta Mabrouma - Ground Meat with Pine Nuts

posted on: Jan 12, 2025

By: Habeeb Salloum/Arab America Contributing Writer

Aleppo and its cuisine never fails in its unique tastes and aromas.  Kufta mabrouma is a specialty of the city where it is baked and served in a round platter, with the ground meat rolls arranged in diminishing circles.

Serves 6 to 8

2 medium onions, very finely chopped

4 cloves garlic, crushed

1 egg, beaten

2 pounds finely ground lean lamb

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1/4 teaspoon cayenne

4 tablespoons pine nuts

2 tablespoons melted butter

2 tablespoons water

2 tablespoons coarsely chopped parsley leaves

1 lemon sliced

            Place onions, garlic, egg, meat, salt, pepper, allspice and cayenne in a mixing bowl and thoroughly combine.  

Preheat oven to 300° F.  

Flatten mixture to about 1/4-inch thickness, then cut into 6 rectangular pieces.  Press pine nuts into the longer side of each piece, then roll into crescent sausage shape.  Tightly fit into a round casserole, then brush with butter and sprinkle with water.  Cover and bake for 1 hour, uncovered for the last 20 minutes, or until the rolls are well-cooked.  

Place on a hot serving platter, then garnish with parsley and lemon slices.  Serve with cooked rice or fried potatoes.

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