Quzi
Quzi (Arabic: قوزي), also called qoozi, ghozi, or ouzi, is a rice based dish popular in the Arab states of the Persian Gulf. It is served with very slow cooked lamb, roasted nuts, raisins and served over rice[1]. It is considered one of Iraq's national dishes and introduced into Turkey by Arab immigrants.[2]
 Iraqi qoozi | |
| Course | Meal |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Iraq |
| Region or state | Middle East, Persian Gulf and North Africa |
| Main ingredients | Lamb, rice, roasted nuts and raisins |
In Iraqi cuisine, it is usually prepared by stuffing the whole lamb with rice, vegetables, spices and nuts and slow cooking it over a closed or submerged oven[3]. In some places in the Middle East it is buried in a pit containing burning coal or charcoal to get the smoky flavor.
There are many variations to this technique such as in Saudi Arabia and Yemen it is called madfoon where its wrapped in aluminium foil and kept on open heat source. In Oman and UAE it is called shuwaa where it is traditionally eaten on festive occasions, prepared by wrapping the marinated meat in date palm leaves and placing in a submerged oven. In Jordan, and Syria it is known as zarb where the meat is portioned into smaller pieces and kept along with vegetables and bread dough so that the flavors are enhanced. Another variant is called haneeth where it is cooked inside a hot tabun and it can be found in most Middle Eastern countries as well as the Horn of Africa and North Africa.
References
- Whole Roasted Lamb (Qoozi) in Maryam's Culinary Wonders
- Quozi: an Iraqi lamb recipe from chef Philip Juma by Phillip Juma from Evening Standard 24 December 2015
- Quozi: an Iraqi lamb recipe from chef Philip Juma in Evening Standard newspaaper