Stuffed Courgettes and Vine Leaves

Gone are the winter evenings when one could reminisce, drooling, about a plate of mahshi u warak, stuffed courgettes (zucchini) and fresh vine leaves; we used to have to wait for spring for the first taste of this delicious meal. Nowadays, courgettes are available all year round and vine leaves keep very well in the freezer. Still, for the most tender leaves it is always best to pick the first growth, preferably straight from the Betuni (grapevine), as they have a slightly acidic flavour an