Vegetable Tagine

Created by Marcus Samuelsson

Serve this with Lemon-Olive Chicken.

Servings: Serves 4–6 (Makes 12 cups)

Ingredients

2 parsnips , peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks

2 baking potatoes , peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes

2 beets , peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes

1/2 cup olive oil

2 eggplants (skin on), cut into 2-inch cubes

1 medium Spanish onion , cut into 1-inch chunks

4 cloves garlic , minced

1/2 cup green olives , halved and pitted

2 jalapeno chilies , seeds and ribs removed, finely chopped

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

1 teaspoon ground cumin

2 cups vegetable stock or broth

1/2 teaspoon salt , plus more to taste

2 tablespoons chopped parsley

1/2 cup raisins

Directions

Combine parsnips, potatoes and beets in a Dutch oven or other large pot, cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Heat olive oil in a large, deep sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add eggplant, onion, garlic, olives and jalapeños; reduce heat to medium and sauté until eggplant is tender, about 10 minutes.

Stir in turmeric, cumin, stock, potatoes, parsnips, beets and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

Remove from heat. Stir in parsley and raisins; season to taste before serving.

From the September 2006 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine