Gemista (Greek Stuffed Tomatoes and Peppers with Rice)

Ingredients

• 8 tomatoes
• 4 green bell peppers (or orange, red or yellow if you prefer them sweet)
• 2 eggplants
• 6 potatoes, cut into wedges
• 2 red onions, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 18 ounces rice, for the risotto
• 15 ounces chopped tomatoes, canned
• a small bunch of parsley, chopped
• a small bunch of fresh mint, chopped
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp butter
• salt, to taste
• freshly ground pepper, to taste
• olive oil
• 9 ounces minced/ground beef (optional)