Preparation:
Combine rice, water and 1 teaspoon salt and steam 1 hour. Sauté onions with 1 teaspoon salt in oil until onions are tender. Add zucchini and eggplant and fry until tender. Lightly stir in fruits and apple juice, then add next 4 ingredients. Simmer 10 minutes. Place steamed rice into a buttered 3-quart baking dish. Smother with sautéed mixture. Cover and bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Remove and garnish with peanuts and bananas. Serve immediately. Serves 8 to 10.
Variations: For the meat-eating crown, use 1/2 pounds ground lamb or pork instead of zucchini and eggplant. When fresh fruits are not available, use 1 11/2 cups dried apples and 3/4 cups dried peaches, reconstituting them in warm water for 1 hour before using them. |