Cinnamon and lemon pearl couscous + roasted butternut squash

Posted by Dana McMahan on February 27, 2008

If you’re looking for something a little different with just a bit of an exotic North African flair, try this flavorful dish. Pearl (or Israeli) couscous is much bigger than the usual couscous – it’s the size of tiny peas.These smooth, round pasta pearls cook in cinnamon-infused boiling water before joining sautéed onions and roasted butternut squash. This combination then marries a medley of plump golden raisins, lemon, parsley and toasted pine nuts. It’s a colorful and elegant dish that would be ideal for discerning dinner guests.

Because of the squash it’s fairly labor intensive, but well worth the effort.

Juice and zest of 1 lemon
1 small butternut squash, peeled and seeded, and cut into 1/4-inch dice
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 3/4 cups Israeli couscous, about 1 lb.
1 cinnamon stick
1 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 475°F.
Toss squash in a table spoon of olive oil, arrange on one layer on a baking sheet and roast in upper third of oven 15 minutes, until just tender. Transfer to a large bowl.

Cook onion in 1 tablespoon oil over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until just beginning to turn golden. Add squash to pan and leave heat on very low.

Meanwhile cook couscous with cinnamon stick in a large pot of boiling salted water 10 minutes, or until just tender, and drain in a colander (do not rinse). Add couscous to vegetables and toss with 2 tablespoon oil to coat.

Add lemon zest and juice, parsley, pine nuts, raisins, ground cinnamon, and salt to taste. Toss to mix well.
Heap in a bowl and enjoy.

Leftovers make a great lunch the next day.

TAGS: Butternut Squash, Couscous
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[ READER COMMENTS ]

1

P McDonald said:

I just had pearl couscous for the first time last night and loved it. Where in Toronto or Collingwood can I buy it??

Posted at 02:43 PM, on May 1 2008

2

Dana McMahan said:

Whole Foods sells it in my city - I don't know about Toronto, but probably any specialty food shop or bulk/health food shop. Good luck! :)

Posted at 08:41 PM, on May 1 2008

3

T White said:

Trader Joe's has pearl couscous, a.k.a. Israeli Couscous.

Posted at 04:52 PM, on January 15 2009

4

Sandy said:

I am new to Kelowna and would love to know where to buy israeli couscous.

Posted at 06:36 PM, on September 13 2009

Cinnamon and lemon pearl couscous + roasted butternut squash

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