Vegetarian Moroccan Mixed Vegetable Tagine

By
Christine Benlafquih
Christine Benlafquih
Christine Benlafquih
Christine Benlafquih is a writer and cooking class instructor with a background in Moroccan cuisine.
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Updated on 12/6/21
Vegetable tagine

Guy Thouvenin/robertharding/Getty Images

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 2 hrs
Total: 2 hrs 15 mins
Servings: 2 to 4 servings

If you've been under the impression that Moroccan stews must include meat or poultry, think again. A delicious vegetarian tagine with mixed vegetables can be prepared as your main dish. Vegetables cooked in traditional Moroccan tagines have appetizing texture, color, and flavor. Cut the veggies into wedges or planks and arrange them in conical Berber style, or simply slice and layer them.

If cooking in a tagine, a diffuser is recommended for placing between the tagine and burner. If you don't own a tagine, a skillet may be used instead. Serve directly from the dish in which you cooked, using crusty bread such as Moroccan semolina bread for scooping up the veggies and sauce.

Avoid rushing the cooking; you'll want to allow one to two hours for the veggies to slow cook. If using argan oil instead of olive oil, extra care must be given to maintaining a low temperature so as not to ruin the delicate flavor of the oil.

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Ingredients

  • 1 onion, sliced into rings

  • 2 tomatoes, thickly sliced

  • 4 carrots, peeled and cut in half lengthwise or sliced

  • 2 or 3 small zucchini, cut in half lengthwise or thickly sliced

  • 1 to 2 large potatoes, peeled and quartered or cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices

  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

  • 1 teaspoon ginger

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric

  • Pinch of saffron threads, crumbled, optional

  • 1/4 cup olive oil, or argan oil

  • Handful green olives, optional

  • 1 cup water

  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, or cilantro, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Wash and slice the onion, tomato, carrots, tomatoes, zucchini, and potatoes.

  3. Place the carrots, zucchini, and potatoes in a bowl. Add the salt, ginger, pepper, turmeric, and optional saffron threads. Toss to coat the vegetables evenly.

  4. Pour half of the oil into the base of a tagine or in a skillet. Add the onion slices and top with the tomato slices.

  5. Arrange the vegetables in conical fashion on top the tomatoes. First, add the carrots, then the potatoes, then the zucchini. 

  6. Add the optional olives, if using. Drizzle the remaining oil over the arranged vegetables.

  7. Rinse the spices from the bowl which held the potatoes by swirling one cup of water in the bowl. Add this water to the tagine or skillet and cover.

  8. Place over medium-low to medium heat (use a diffuser between a tagine and the burner) and bring to a simmer. It's normal for this to take 15 or 20 minutes if cooking in clay, so stay patient.

  9. Once you hear the tagine simmering, adjust the heat to the lowest temperature necessary for maintaining a simmer. Allow the tagine to cook undisturbed for about one to 1.5 hours. Check to see that the vegetables are tender, and reduce any excess liquid if desired.

  10. Garnish the tagine with the chopped parsley or cilantro. 

  11. Serve the tagine warm and enjoy.

Tip

  • Refrigerate any leftovers in a covered container. Enjoy them reheated within two to four days.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
264 Calories
14g Fat
32g Carbs
5g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2 to 4
Amount per serving
Calories 264
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 14g 19%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 584mg 25%
Total Carbohydrate 32g 12%
Dietary Fiber 7g 24%
Total Sugars 10g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 45mg 227%
Calcium 72mg 6%
Iron 2mg 12%
Potassium 1215mg 26%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)