Roasted vegetables with za'atar
Prep Time: 20 minutes total, including to make the za'atar mix
Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
Keywords: side gluten-free soy-free sugar-free vegetarian vegan summer fall onion zucchini tomatoes garlic za'atar
Ingredients (serves 3-4)
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon sumac
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 4 ounces / 113 grams sweet onion, like Walla Walla
- 1 pound / 450 grams zucchini or other summer squash
- 1/2 pound / 8 ounces / 225 grams tomatoes (small Early Girl, plum cherry, grape or red cherry)
- 4 medium garlic cloves, peeled and quartered lengthwise
- 1 tablespoon / 15 ml + 2 tablespoons / 30 ml extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon / 15 ml za'atar spice mix
Instructions
To make the za'atar mix, briefly whiz the first 5 ingredients in a spice grinder, or use a mortar and pestle to grind the thyme and oregano, then add the following 3 ingredients and grind some more.
Transfer to a small glass jar, add the sesame seeds, cover, shake and use as directed.
To prepare the roasted vegetables, heat the oven to 375 F / 190 C.
Lightly olive oil the bottom of a 3 quart / 3 liter glass baking dish using 1 tablespoon / 15 ml of the extra-virgin olive oil.
Dice the onion. Quarter the zucchini lengthwise then slice crosswise (no more than 1/2 inch / 1.25 cm thick). If the zucchini is plump, divide each half into thirds lengthwise before slicing. Halve the small tomatoes, quarter the larger ones, lengthwise.
Place all the vegetables in the baking dish and stir to mix. Place the baking dish in the oven. After 20 minutes, take the baking dish out of the oven and stir the vegetables. After another 5 minutes, check a piece of zucchini: the dish may be done or may need a few more minutes.
In the meantime, put the za'atar in a ramekin and slowly pour the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil while stirring to make a paste.
When the vegetables are ready, take the baking dish out of the oven and transfer onto a serving plate. Drizzle the za'atar on the vegetable and stir well. (Note: I took the photos before tossing to show the za'atar.) Taste and adjust the salt, if needed.
Serve immediately.