Seven Vegetable Couscous (a Sephardic Rosh Hashanah dish)

Seven vegetable couscous (or as it’s sometimes written, 7-vegetable couscous) is a colorful dish traditional to the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah), but you need not save it for special occasions only. It’s a surprisingly easy vegetable couscous recipe that can be enjoyed for everyday meals as well.

Rosh Hashanah is more than a New Year’s celebration. The holiday’s ancient roots are as a harvest festival, and enjoyment of the abundant produce of early autumn remains central to the celebration. The foods served emphasize the holiday’s optimistic spirit. 

Though it’s a joyous time, Rosh Hashanah is also the first of the Ten Days of Awe, a period of spiritual reflection and repentance that culminates in Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

Symbolic foods for the holiday: As with almost every sacred and ancient celebration, food plays a central role and is filled with symbolism for Rosh Hashanah. When making challah bread, for example, the baker might pinch off a bit of dough and burn it in the oven as a symbolic sacrifice.

Seven is a lucky number in Jewish tradition. So a dish featuring seven vegetables, like this one, is a New Year favorite among Sephardic Jews.

Don’t be put off by the long list of ingredients. This recipe is as easy as can be. Recipe adapted from Vegan Holiday Kitchen by Nava Atlas. 

More vegan Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) recipes

Carrot and Sweet Potato Tzimmes
Vegan Potato Kugel
Vegan Matzo Ball Soup
Vegan Honey Cake

See our entire selection of
Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) recipes

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Yield: 8

Seven-Vegetable Couscous

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Seven vegetable couscous is a colorful dish traditional to the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah), but you need not save it for special occasions only.

Prep Time 25 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

For the couscous

• 1 1/2 cups couscous, preferably whole grain
• 3 cups water
• 1 tablespoon vegan butter
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon salt

For the vegetables

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 1 cup finely shredded green cabbage
• 1 medium turnip, peeled and diced
• 1 medium yellow summer squash, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
• 1 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
• 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 1/2 cups diced ripe tomatoes
• 1/2 cup sliced sun-dried tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon each ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• Dried hot red pepper flakes to taste, optional
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Garnishes

• 1/2 cup dark or golden raisins, or finely chopped dried apricots
• 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Combine the couscous and water in a heatproof bowl. Cover and let stand until water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork, then stir in the vegan butter, turmeric, and salt. Cover and set aside.
2. For the vegetable stew, heat the oil in a large saucepan or soup pot. Add the onions and sauté over medium heat until translucent. Stir in cabbage and sauté until both it and the onion are lightly golden.
3. Add remaining stew ingredients. Bring to a simmer, then cover and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes. Add water as needed to produce a moist, but not soupy, consistency. The vegetables should be just tender, but still firm.
4. To serve, arrange the couscous on the outer edge of a large serving platter and make a well in the center. Pour the vegetable mixture in the center, then sprinkle with the garnishes and serve.

Notes

You can substitute quinoa for the couscous. It will be less authentic, but no matter—it will be delicious, and also gluten free.

If you like this Jewish New Year main dish, you might also enjoy …

Moroccan-Inspired Tofu with Apricots, Almonds, and Tofu