Roasted Veggie Delight: Feta & Harissa Pine Nut Recipe

Are you ready to dive into a world of vibrant flavors? This recipe for charred tomatoes, onions, and peppers with feta and harissa pine nuts, inspired by Ottolenghi Test Kitchen, is a culinary adventure you won't want to miss. Perfect as a sauce, dip, or topping, this dish is incredibly versatile and packed with Mediterranean goodness. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with this easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide. This dish is a flavorful explosion that combines the sweetness of roasted vegetables with the creamy saltiness of feta and the spicy kick of harissa pine nuts. This recipe is not just a meal; it’s an experience. Whether you’re serving it as a vibrant dip with warm flatbreads, spooning it over pasta or rice, or even topping baked potatoes, its versatility shines through. The key to its irresistible taste lies in the charring process, which brings out the natural sugars of the vegetables and adds a delightful smoky depth. The combination of textures and flavors – the soft, yielding vegetables, the creamy feta, and the crunchy, spicy pine nuts – creates a symphony in your mouth.

What Makes This Recipe Special?

This recipe stands out for several reasons. First, it's incredibly flavorful, blending sweet, savory, spicy, and salty notes into a harmonious whole. The charring process is essential as it enhances the natural sweetness of the vegetables while adding a pleasant smokiness. This depth of flavor can't be achieved through other cooking methods. Second, it's versatile. Enjoy it as a dip with warm flatbreads, a topping for grilled meats or fish, or a sauce for pasta or grains. The possibilities are endless, allowing you to adapt it to your own culinary preferences. This adaptability makes it a valuable addition to your recipe repertoire, perfect for both casual weeknight dinners and more elaborate gatherings. Third, it's relatively easy to make. While it requires some time in the oven, the hands-on preparation is minimal, making it a great option for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend cooking. The straightforward steps and accessible ingredients make it a recipe that anyone, regardless of their cooking experience, can confidently tackle and enjoy. Finally, the visual appeal of the dish is undeniable. The vibrant colors of the roasted vegetables, the creamy white feta, and the glistening harissa pine nuts create a stunning presentation, making it a dish that's as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate.

A Deep Dive into the Ingredients

Let’s take a closer look at the key ingredients that make this recipe so special:

• Tomatoes: Plum tomatoes form the base, offering a rich, sweet foundation. Datterini or cherry tomatoes are added later for a burst of fresh sweetness and visual appeal. The choice of using both plum tomatoes and smaller varieties adds complexity to the tomato flavor profile, ensuring a vibrant and layered taste in the final dish. The plum tomatoes, with their meaty texture and lower seed content, cook down beautifully to create a rich sauce, while the cherry tomatoes provide pops of juicy sweetness.
• Onions and Peppers: Red onions provide sweetness and depth, while green jalapeños add a touch of heat. Red peppers contribute a sweet, slightly smoky flavor when charred. The combination of these vegetables not only provides a complex flavor profile but also a vibrant color palette, making the dish visually appealing. The red onions caramelize beautifully during roasting, adding a sweet and savory element, while the green jalapeños provide a subtle kick that balances the sweetness. The red peppers, with their inherent sweetness, complement the other vegetables perfectly, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.
• Garlic: A whole head of garlic, roasted until soft and sweet, adds a mellow garlic flavor that complements the other vegetables. Roasting the garlic cloves in their skins mellows their flavor, creating a sweet, nutty taste that is far more subtle and complex than raw garlic. This mellowed garlic flavor infuses the entire dish, adding a layer of depth and richness that enhances the overall taste.
• Feta: Greek feta provides a salty, tangy contrast to the sweetness of the vegetables. Its creamy texture adds another dimension to the dish. The saltiness of the feta cuts through the sweetness of the vegetables, creating a balanced flavor profile that is both satisfying and addictive. Its crumbly texture adds a delightful contrast to the soft, yielding vegetables, while its tangy flavor adds a layer of complexity that elevates the dish.
• Harissa Pine Nuts: Pine nuts, toasted and tossed with rose harissa, add a spicy, nutty crunch. The harissa paste brings a complex heat that elevates the dish. Toasting the pine nuts before tossing them with harissa intensifies their nutty flavor and adds a satisfying crunch. The rose harissa, with its blend of chili peppers, spices, and rose petals, provides a complex heat that is both spicy and fragrant, adding a distinctive Middle Eastern flavor to the dish. The combination of toasted pine nuts and spicy harissa creates a delightful textural and flavor contrast that makes this dish truly special.

Charred Tomatoes, Onions, and Peppers Recipe

Here's the detailed recipe to help you create this culinary masterpiece:

Serves: 4 Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 75ml olive oil
• 2 red onions, each cut into 8 wedges (480g)
• 2 green jalapeños, stems removed and flesh chopped into 1cm-thick pieces (80g)
• 2 red peppers (300g), stems removed and each cut into 3–4cm pieces
• 1 head of garlic, skin on and halved widthways
• 1.5kg plum tomatoes, peeled and roughly chopped
• 20g fresh coriander, roughly chopped, plus 1 tbsp extra chopped coriander to serve
• 1. 5 tsp coriander seeds
• 120g datterini or regular cherry tomatoes, left whole
• 120g Greek feta, roughly crumbled into large chunks
• 25g pine nuts
• 1 tbsp rose harissa
• Salt

Equipment

• Large roasting tin (about 34cm × 26cm)
• Small knife
• Large spoon
• Small frying pan

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 240°C fan (or as high as your oven can go). This high temperature is crucial for achieving the desired char on the vegetables. The intense heat caramelizes the natural sugars in the vegetables, resulting in a deeper, more complex flavor.
2. Roast the vegetables: In a large roasting tin, combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the red onions, jalapeños, peppers, and garlic halves. Give everything a good stir to ensure the vegetables are evenly coated with oil. Roast for 25 minutes, stirring two or three times throughout, until the vegetables are softened and well charred. This initial roasting period is essential for developing the characteristic smoky flavor of the dish. Stirring the vegetables ensures that they char evenly and don't stick to the pan.
3. Add tomatoes and coriander: Remove the garlic halves from the tin and use a small knife to extract the cloves, discarding the papery skins. Return the roasted garlic cloves to the tin. Add the plum tomatoes, fresh coriander, coriander seeds, and 1¼ teaspoons of salt. Use the back of a large spoon to mash everything together, breaking apart the garlic and chillies slightly. This mashing process helps to release the flavors of the tomatoes and garlic, creating a richer and more cohesive sauce. Returning the garlic cloves to the tin after roasting ensures that they continue to infuse the dish with their sweet, mellow flavor.
4. Continue roasting: Return the roasting tin to the oven for another 30–35 minutes, stirring two or three times throughout, or until the tomatoes have broken down and the mixture has thickened. This second roasting period allows the tomatoes to cook down and intensify their flavor, creating a thick and luscious sauce. Stirring the mixture prevents it from sticking to the pan and ensures that it cooks evenly.
5. Grill with feta and cherry tomatoes: Remove the dish from the oven and set the oven to a high grill setting. Top the roasted vegetables with the datterini/cherry tomatoes and feta. Drizzle over 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Grill for 10 minutes, or until the feta and datterini/cherry tomatoes have taken on some color. Grilling the dish at this stage adds a final layer of flavor and visual appeal. The feta becomes slightly melted and golden brown, while the cherry tomatoes burst and release their sweet juices, creating a beautiful and delicious topping.
6. Prepare harissa pine nuts: While the dish is grilling, put the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil into a small frying pan on a medium-high heat. Add the pine nuts and cook until golden, shaking the pan frequently, about 3 minutes. Add the harissa, stirring to combine, then remove from the heat. Toasting the pine nuts in olive oil enhances their nutty flavor and adds a satisfying crunch. Adding the harissa paste at the end allows its flavor to bloom without burning, creating a fragrant and spicy topping.
7. Serve: To serve, spoon the harissa pine nuts over the roasted vegetables and feta. Sprinkle with the extra chopped coriander. Serve warm, and enjoy the explosion of flavors and textures. The harissa pine nuts add a spicy and crunchy element to the dish, while the fresh coriander provides a bright and herbaceous finish. Serving the dish warm allows all the flavors to meld together, creating a truly memorable culinary experience.

Serving Suggestions

This versatile dish can be enjoyed in numerous ways:

• Dip: Serve with warm flatbreads or pita bread for a flavorful appetizer.
• Sauce: Spoon over pasta, rice, or quinoa for a vibrant main course.
• Topping: Top grilled meats, fish, or vegetables for an extra burst of flavor.
• Side dish: Serve alongside roasted chicken or lamb for a Mediterranean-inspired meal.

Tips and Variations

• Spice Level: Adjust the amount of jalapeños and harissa to suit your spice preference. If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the amount of jalapeños or omit them altogether. You can also use a milder harissa paste or reduce the amount used.
• Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, or bell peppers. Each vegetable will contribute its unique flavor and texture to the dish. Roasting a variety of vegetables together creates a more complex and interesting flavor profile.
• Herbs: Experiment with different herbs like basil, oregano, or thyme. Fresh herbs add a bright and aromatic element to the dish. Adding herbs towards the end of the cooking process helps to preserve their flavor and fragrance.
• Vegan Option: Omit the feta for a vegan version. The dish is still packed with flavor without the feta. You can add other plant-based toppings, such as toasted almonds or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast, for added flavor and texture.

Conclusion

This roasted vegetable feta delight with harissa pine nuts is a testament to the magic that happens when simple ingredients are combined with care and attention. The charred vegetables, the creamy feta, and the spicy pine nuts create a symphony of flavors and textures that will leave you craving more. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a kitchen novice, this recipe is sure to impress. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to embark on a culinary journey that will tantalize your taste buds and nourish your soul. Enjoy this vibrant, flavorful dish as a dip, a sauce, or a topping – the possibilities are endless. Bon appétit!

For more delicious recipes and culinary inspiration, check out Ottolenghi's website.