Γεμιστά — Gemista (Stuffed Tomatoes and Peppers with Rice)

Greek Fast With Oil Published February 12, 2026

Gemista is the quintessential Greek summer dish and one of the finest things you can do with ripe
tomatoes. Hollowed-out tomatoes and peppers filled with herbed rice, baked until the tops caramelize
and the vegetables practically melt. This is the kind of food that makes fasting feel like a gift.

FASTING LEVEL: Fast With Oil (the olive oil is essential to gemista; for strict oil-free days, this dish is not recommended)

SERVINGS: 4 (2 pieces each)
TIME: 1 hour 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS:
- 4 large ripe tomatoes
- 4 medium bell peppers (any colour)
- 200 g short-grain rice (Arborio or Calrose), rinsed
- 1 large onion, grated
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 80 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- Large bunch of flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- Large bunch of fresh mint, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges
- 200 ml water

METHOD:
1. Preheat oven to 180C (350F).
2. Slice the tops off tomatoes and peppers and set aside as lids. Hollow out the tomatoes with a spoon, reserving all the pulp. Remove seeds from peppers. Chop tomato pulp finely.
3. In a bowl, combine rice, grated onion, garlic, chopped tomato pulp, half the olive oil, tomato paste, parsley, mint, oregano, cinnamon, sugar, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
4. Fill each tomato and pepper about three-quarters full (rice will expand). Replace the lids.
5. Arrange in a baking dish. Tuck potato wedges around them. Drizzle potatoes and vegetables with remaining olive oil and season with salt. Pour water into the bottom of the dish.
6. Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes, until the rice is cooked through, the tops are caramelized, and the potatoes are golden and tender.
7. Let rest 15 minutes before serving. Eat warm or at room temperature.

NOTES:
- The potatoes roasting alongside are not an afterthought — they soak up the tomato juices and become the best part.
- Use the ripest tomatoes you can find. Out-of-season tomatoes will produce a dull result.
- Short-grain rice is essential. Long-grain rice does not absorb the juices properly and stays dry.
- Gemista are excellent at room temperature and are traditional picnic food.

NUTRITION (per serving, approximate):
Calories: 480 | Protein: 9 g | Carbohydrates: 70 g | Fat: 19 g | Fibre: 8 g