Stuffed Onions from Afghanistan: Osh Pyozee

Osh Pyozee are Afghan Stuffed Onions. Soft onion layers are used as a wrapper for a savory lamb, Feta and prune filling. Serve one as an appetizer, 2 or 3 as a main dish.

There's something special about stuffed vegetables. I love the different textures and melding of flavors, and the presentation is exciting. They come out of the oven soft and browned and looking delicious, like a beautifully wrapped present. 

I've stuffed many a vegetable: tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and cabbages, to name a few.  But when I learned about Osh Pyozee, (that's the Afghan name for "Stuffed Onions"), I was immediately intrigued. Onions are one of my favorite vegetables and I've never thought to stuff them.

In this recipe, the onions are boiled and softened so the layers can be separated. Each onion layer becomes the wrapper for the lamb, feta and prune filling. Because of their shape, the onions layers naturally curl around the filling and close up at each end. (remember to only cut halfway through the onion when you trim it, so you get a whole large layer of onion to wrap with)

There is no need to add any liquid to the casserole before cooking.  The onions release plenty of moisture while they cook.

In Afghanistan meals are traditionally served on a large table cloth called a dastarkhan, that is spread over the floor. Diners sit on cushions and share communal plates of food, often including rice, bread (Nan), stews, vegetables and chutneys. Food is eaten with the right hand - no utensils are used. A hand-washing ritual is customary before the start of a meal.

I like the idea of serving these Afghan style - on a communal platter, surrounded by colorful vegetables and salads. Or serve them as a tapas-style appetizer - one tasty onion roll on a small plate. I tried eating one without utensils. It was great! I'd like to say that I did it to be true to Afghan customs but truth be told I just couldn't resist grabbing one and biting into it.

Here's the recipe for Osh Pyozee: Stuffed Onions from Afghanistan. If you try this recipe I hope you'll come back to leave a comment. I'd love to know what you think.

Osh Pyozee: Stuffed Onions from Afghanistan

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Oven Baked Stuffed Onions with a savory filling of lamb, rice, Feta, prunes and spices.

• Author: Lisa
• Prep Time: 40 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hour 5 mins
• Total Time: 1 hour 45 mins
• Yield: 4-6 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Bake
• Cuisine: Afghan

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 large yellow onions (about ¾ pound each)
• 1 pound ground lamb
• ¾ cup cooked basmati rice
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1½ teaspoons finely chopped garlic
• 1½ teaspoons whole cumin seeds
• 1½ teaspoons salt
• ¼ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 10 pitted prunes, roughly chopped
• 4 ounces crumbled Feta cheese
• Olive oil for brushing onions
• Fresh ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Lightly oil the bottom of a casserole dish or Dutch oven.
2. Prepare the Onions: Trim the ends off the onions, then make a slice only halfway through each onion lengthwise (with your knife positioned end-to-end). For a clear demonstration of this technique see photo in post. Pull off the brown papery skin. Boil onions in a large pot of water, partially covered pot, for 20 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer onions into a large bowl filled with cold water. Pour out heated water and refresh with more cold water, and repeat again. Let onions cool in the water for a few minutes. To keep from burning your hands, work under water to gently separate the softened outer layers of each onion, one by one, about 4 or 5 per onion, until you get to the stiffer middle section, which will not be used in this recipe. Put onions layers in a strainer to dry.
3. Make the stuffing Put cooked rice in a medium sized bowl and set aside. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a small frying pan. Add chopped garlic (1½ teaspoons) and cumin seeds (1½ teaspoons) to pan and cook over medium heat, stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute. Turn off heat if garlic starts to turn brown. Scrape cumin and garlic into bowl with rice. Add salt  (1½ teaspoons) and pepper (¼ teaspoon). Stir rice to combine with spices. Add ground lamb and Feta cheese and gently combine with rice. (I recommend using your hands)
4. Stuff the onions Pat the onion layers dry if need be. Add a generous heaping tablespoon of the meat mixture to the center of an onion layer. Roll the onion layer around the meat, and put it in the oiled casserole, seam side down. Continue with all of the meat. You should have 12-14 stuffed onions. Brush the tops of the rolls with some olive oil and sprinkle with some fresh ground pepper. Cover casserole with lid or with a double layer of foil. Bake in the lower third of a preheated oven for 1 hour. Briefly remove pot from oven. Turn oven up to "broil". Remove foil from casserole. Baste onions with pan juices. Return to oven, uncovered, and cook onion rolls for an additional 5 minutes to brown them, watching carefully to make sure they don't burn.

Keywords: lamb stuffed onions, onions stuffed with lamb and feta