Sultry squash tagine with cooling couscous

Sultry squash tagine with cooling couscous

Exotic enough to be exciting, simple enough for midweek and mild enough to appeal to everyone around the table, this butternut, red pepper and chickpea tagine is a sure-fire crowd-pleaser. What’s more, it’s absolutely divine with the refreshing mint, coriander and pea shoot couscous.

Plants 8 SWK: Source of protein SWK: High fibre highly rated

Serving size

Cook time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Moroccan
Food group: Vegan
Allergens: Celery, Wheat

Cooking Instructions

The protein cooking time listed in this recipe has been updated.

As of December 2025, we’ve revised cooking times for all our proteins to reflect improved food safety guidance.

Check out the latest recommended times in our Cooking Guidelines.

Roast your veg

  • Heat your oven to 240ºC/fan 220ºC/gas 9.
  • Peel and halve the squash lengthways, discard the seeds and cut into 1cm chunks. Deseed the peppers and dice into 2cm squares, then peel the onions and cut each into 8 wedges.
  • Put the prepared veg on a large baking tray lined with baking paper. Scatter over a quarter of the Moroccan seasoning, spritz with cooking spray and lightly season. Roast for 25-30 mins.

It’s tagine time!

  • Meanwhile, drain and rinse the chickpeas.
  • Put a large non-stick saucepan over a medium-high heat and tip in the chickpeas, tomato purée, ginger & garlic paste and another quarter of the Moroccan seasoning. Cook for 2-3 mins.
  • Add the chopped tomatoes. Crumble in half the stock cube, pour in 200ml water (use all the stock and 250ml water for 4 portions) and stir well. Simmer for 8-10 mins (10-12 mins for 4 portions) until reduced slightly.

Sort that couscous

  • At the same time, put the couscous in a large bowl and lightly season to taste with salt. Pour in enough boiled water to just cover the couscous, stir well, cover and leave for 5 mins, until the water is absorbed.

Get the herbs involved

  • Chop the mint leaves, coriander and pea shoots, then stir them through the couscous.

Finish & serve

  • Add the roasted veg to the tagine, stir well and serve with the couscous.

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