Al-Qasha (Offal) – Recipe for Al-Qasha – How to Prepare Al-Qasha

Al-Qasha (Offal) – Recipe for Al-Qasha – How to Prepare Al-Qasha

Al-Qasha (also known as "Al-Fawarigh") is a traditional and popular dish, especially known in Syrian cuisine. It is considered a rich, hearty dish, typically made from sheep or cow intestines, including the small and large intestines as well as the stomach. Despite its delicious and distinctive flavor, Al-Qasha is a challenging dish that requires considerable time for preparation and cooking.

Ingredients for Al-Qasha:

 

• 4 kg of fresh and cleaned offal (intestines and stomach)
• 1 kg of rice
• 2 cups of pine nuts
• 2 cups of almonds
• 1 kg of fresh minced meat
• 2 tablespoons of black pepper
• 2 tablespoons of white pepper
• ¼ cup of olive oil
• 4 tablespoons of salt
• 1 onion
• A few bay leaves
• A few cardamom pods
• 1 kg of yogurt (strained)
• 2 cups of white vinegar
• 1 cup of fresh lemon juice

How to Prepare Al-Qasha:

1. Begin by thoroughly cleaning the offal. First, wash it well with water, then rub it with salt and wash it again in warm water. Next, rub both ends of the offal with vinegar, lemon juice, and yogurt, leaving it for about three hours. Rinse it well with warm water several times.

2. While the offal is soaking, prepare the filling. Place the rice in a deep bowl, wash it well with cold water, then drain it. Add a small amount of salt and stir it. Add some warm water, cover the bowl, and leave it for about 30 minutes to soak.

3. After the rice has soaked, rinse it again with cold water and place it in a strainer to drain.

4. Put the soaked rice in a deep bowl, then add black and white pepper, fresh minced meat, a little salt, and 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Stir the mixture well to combine all the ingredients.

5. Start stuffing each piece of offal with an appropriate amount of the rice and meat mixture. To do this, open one end of each piece and fill it with the mixture using a small spoon, then tightly close the ends either by sewing them with a needle and thread or by tying them securely.

6. Continue this process until all the offal pieces are filled. Place the stuffed offal in a deep bowl and rub them lightly with yogurt and vinegar. Rinse them well with water.

7. In a large pot, add enough water to cover the stuffed offal and place it on medium heat. Allow it to boil, skimming off any scum that rises to the surface.

8. Add cardamom pods, bay leaves, and the onion cut in half to the pot. Let the offal cook thoroughly until it is completely tender.

9. Once cooked, transfer the Al-Qasha to a serving dish and sprinkle with roasted almonds and pine nuts on top.

Serve Al-Qasha with a side of your choice, and enjoy this flavorful and hearty dish!