Tunisian Potato And Squash Medley With Harissa Food

TUNISIAN KAFTAJI

Steps:

• Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook the zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes, potatoes, and chile peppers, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes. Transfer the vegetables to a bowl and set aside.
• Return the skillet to the burner over medium heat. Crack the eggs into the skillet and fry them until the whites are set but the yolk is still runny, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs to the bowl of vegetables and season with salt and pepper.
• Using two knives, cut into the eggs and vegetables, mincing the mixture up into small pieces until well blended. It will look mushy.
• In a separate bowl, mix the harissa with water, one teaspoon at a time, until the mixture is pourable but still thick. Pour the harissa over the kaftaji and serve.

TUNISIAN WINTER SQUASH PUREE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Cover a baking sheet with foil and brush lightly with olive oil. Cut the squash in half, scoop out the seeds and stringy membranes, brush the cut sides with olive oil and lay cut side down on the foil-covered baking sheet. Bake 40 minutes, or until soft enough to pierce easily with a knife. Remove from the heat and allow to cool, then peel and mash with a fork, or puree in a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the lemon or lime juice and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil.
• In a mortar and pestle, mash the garlic to a paste with the salt, and stir into the puree, along with the spices. Taste and adjust salt. Mound on a platter or in a wide bowl. Run a fork down the sides. Mix together the remaining lemon juice and olive oil and drizzle over the puree. Decorate with olives and serve with small lettuce leaves for scooping, and warm flat bread.

TUNISIAN-STYLE ROASTED BEET SALAD WITH HARISSA

Steps:

• NOTE*: If using yams or potatoes, scrub well, remove skin and cut in half or thirds depending on size.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• In small non-reactive bowl combine the salad dressing ingredients and whisk well. Set aside.
• In a large shallow pan, toss the cut up beets lightly with the olive oil to coat. Transfer the beets to a large baking sheet and cover the baking sheet tightly with aluminum foil.
• Bake the beets for about 30 minutes or until the beets are very tender when pierced with a fork.
• Remove from oven, set aside to cool for 5 minutes.
• Then cut beets into 1/2" cubes.
• Place the prepared beets into a large salad bowl and toss lightly but thoroughly with the salad dressing to combine.