BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND CHICKPEA STEW

Butternut Squash and Chickpea Stew image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 1h10m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 16

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 red onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
One 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 1/2 teaspoons ras el hanout spice (See Cook's Note)
1 cinnamon stick, broken in half
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
1 small butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 2 pounds)
One 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
One 5-ounce container baby spinach
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Juice of 1/2 lemon
[For Serving:] Hot cooked couscous or rice

Steps:

Heat the oil in a medium Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their juices, ras el hanout and cinnamon and cook until the tomato juices are thickened, about 3 minutes. Add the broth, apricots, squash and chickpeas and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook until the squash is tender, about 25 minutes.
Stir in the spinach and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the mint, parsley and lemon juice. Remove the cinnamon stick and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper. Serve the stew over hot couscous or rice.