Pomidōr Dolmasī [Stuffed Tomatoes| vegan]

Stuffed Tomatoes from Tabriz | vegan

Origin: Regional Specialty (The Azerbaijani Northwest)

When tomatoes are at their sweet and juicy summer peak, it’s the perfect time to make stuffed tomatoes—Pomidōr Dolmasī, as it's known in the local Turkish dialect. While modern urban versions frequently incorporate ground lamb or beef, the native architecture of Persian stuffed vegetables relies firmly on a robust, naturally plant-based foundation of yellow split peas, rice, and heavy aromatics. Here, the tomato acts as both the vessel and the star of the dish, braising in a rich sauce built directly from its own extracted juices.

Serves: 4
Preparation time: 30 minutes (plus 2 hours soaking)
Cooking time: 45 minutes (plus 25 minutes for grain prep)