Sudanese Kofta

My friends from the Nuba Mountains taught me how to make these delectable treats. They are served on holidays and at special occasions such as circumcisions. It is now illegal in Sudan to circumcise girls, but boys still are circumcised. 

Kofta

Filling:

3 lb ground beef

1 green pepper, pureed

3 cups of rice, cooked

2 generous T  of crushed garlic
1 sm can tomato paste

1 t black pepper

1 tsp cinnamon

1 c instant potato flakes

4 eggs

½ stick butter, melted

1 t salt

1 t ground cardamom pods

1 bunch cilantro, chopped

¾ c pasta sauce or tomato sauce

½ c oil in small dish

On rimmed cookie sheet mix filling thoroughly. Wet fingers with oil and in one hand shape approx. 3 t of filling into small log shape and put on greased rimmed baking sheet. Bake kofta at 350 for 30-45 minutes or until browned.

Sauce:

1 green pepper, sliced into thin strips

2 c pasta sauce

2 generous t of crushed garlic

1 t salt, or more to taste

3 T oil

water to thin

Heat oil in skillet and add green pepper. Stir in pasta sauce, garlic, salt and water. Cook on medium heat while meat cooks in oven. Add additional water if needed to thin.

Add meat to 9 x 13 dish and pour tomato sauce over the top. Seal with foil and bake for 10 minutes.

Serve.