SEVEN-VEGETABLE COUSCOUS
Serves: 8
Seven is a lucky number in Jewish tradition, so a soup or stew featuring seven vegetables is a New Year favorite among Sephardic Jews.
Couscous:
1 l/2 cups couscous
3 cups boiling water
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon salt
Vegetable stew:
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 medium onions, chopped
1 cup finely shredded white cabbage
1 medium turnip, peeled and diced
1 medium yellow summer squash, halved lengthwise
and sliced l/4-inch thick
1 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise
and sliced l/4-inch thick
1/2 cups cooked or drained canned chickpeas
1 1/2 cups diced ripe tomatoes
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
1/2 teaspoon each: ground cumin, coriander,
turmeric and salt
Garnish:
1/2 cup golden raisins or finely
chopped dried apricots
1/2 cup sliced or slivered almonds
Combine the couscous and water in a heatproof bowl. Cover and let stand until water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork, then stir in the margarine, turmeric and salt. Cover and set aside.
For the vegetable stew, heat the oil in a large saucepan or soup pot. Add the onions and sauté over moderate heat until translucent. Stir in cabbage and sauté until both it and the onion are lightly golden.
Add remaining stew ingredients. Bring to a simmer, then over and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes. Add water as needed to produce a moist, but not soupy, consistency . The vegetables should be tender, but still firm.
To serve, arrange the couscous on the outer edge of a large serving platter. Pour vegetable mixture in the center, then sprinkle with the garnishes. Let each guest place a mound of couscous on his or her dinner plate and top it with the vegetable mixture.
