Sweet butternut squash with sour preserved lemons makes a fragrant and easy vegetarian tagine with herby couscous on the side.
Butternut Squash Tagine with Couscous
The combination of sweet roasted butternut squash and tart preserved lemons gives this tagine its signature flavor profile. The spices add warmth and complexity while the couscous provides a perfect neutral accompaniment. The end result is a comforting vegetarian stew that comes together easily.
Ingredients
For the butternut squash tagine
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, peeled, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled, finely chopped
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 butternut squash, peeled, seeds removed, cut into 1cm/½in cubes
- 200g tinned chopped tomatoes
- 200ml vegetable stock
- 3 preserved lemons, rind only, roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp clear honey
- to taste salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the herby couscous
- 400g couscous
- 600ml hot vegetable stock
- 2 lemons, zest only
- 100g toasted flaked almonds
- 1 tbsp each chopped fresh parsley, chives and coriander
- 1 tbsp olive oil
To serve
- small handful coriander, to garnish
Directions
- For the butternut squash tagine, heat one tablespoon of the olive oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Add the onion and fry for 4-5 minutes. Add the garlic and fry for a further 3-4 minutes, or until softened.
- Add the cayenne pepper, ground ginger, ground coriander, ground cumin, cinnamon stick and ground turmeric and stir well. Continue to cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the spices are fragrant.
- Add the butternut squash cubes and stir well to coat the squash in the spices.
- Add the chopped tomatoes, stock, preserved lemons and honey, then season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, or until the butternut squash is tender but still holds its shape.
- Meanwhile, for the herby couscous, place the couscous into a large bowl and pour over the hot chicken stock. Cover the bowl with cling film and set aside until the couscous has absorbed all of the stock, about three minutes.
- Fluff up the couscous using a fork, then stir in the lemon zest, flaked almonds, chopped herbs and olive oil until well combined.
- Serve the couscous with the tagine on top and a little chopped coriander to garnish.