• Add the rice in a colander and rinse it until the water runs clear. Add it in a bowl and cover with water. Set aside to soak for at least 30 minutes.*

PREPARE THE VEGETABLES

• Wash and dry well. Place them in a baking tray along with potato wedges. The size of the pan depends on the size of the vegetables. They should be packed closely but not squashed.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F (180°C).
• Use a knife to cut the tops off the tomatoes and create lids. Keep the tops aside.* Use a paring knife and go around the tomato to loosen the flesh. Use a teaspoon to carefully scoop out the tomato flesh and seeds. Reserve them in a medium-sized bowl.
• Use a knife to cut the tops off the peppers and create lids. Use your hands to clean carefully the pepper seeds and discard them.
• Cut the eggplant (or/and zucchini if used) lengthways (create lids and keep the top) and scoop out the seeds and flesh. Save the eggplant flesh (or/and zucchini) on the bowl with the tomato flesh and seeds.
• Season with salt and pepper the interior of all vegetables. Place all vegetables back to the baking tray. Place tomatoes, eggplant (and zucchini if used) upside down to disregard excessive water.

PREPARE THE STUFFING MIXTURE

• Chop roughly the tomato-eggplant flesh into the bowl. Drain well the rice. Add the rest of the ingredients into the bowl: onion, garlic, spearmint, parsley, rice, olive oil, pepper and a generous pinch of salt. Toss well with a spoon.
• Place all vegetables upright and spoon the stuffing mixture into the empty vegetable shells. Fill no more than ¾ from the top because the rice will expand while baking.
• Sprinkle feta cheese crumbles and drizzle about 1 teaspoon olive oil over each vegetable. Cover with their lids.

ASSEMBLE

• Add the additional chopped tomato (or tomato passata) to leftover mixture (if any) and sprinkle it all around the baking tray. Highly recommended to add tomato instead of water.
• Spread potato wedges between the vegetables and season well with salt and pepper. Drizzle more olive oil if desired.
• Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (180°C) for about 1 hour. Remove the foil and bake for another 15-30 minutes until the rice is fully cooked (check the rice before you turn off the heat). Add a little bit of water if there is absolutely no liquid in the baking tray.
• Remove from the oven and set aside for at least 1 hour before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.*