Tahini-Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Za’atar
A Twist on the Classic Sweet Potato Casserole
The classic American-style sweet potato casserole is a Thanksgiving staple. It’s also sweet enough to be dessert. With added sugar and a finishing layer of broiled marshmallows, it can be a cloying dish that obscures the natural flavor of sweet potatoes.
Middle Eastern Pantry Staples
In this recipe from our cookbook “Milk Street 365: The All-Purpose Cookbook for Every Day of the Year,” we use two Middle Eastern pantry staples to boost the flavor of sweet potatoes. First, we coat the potato wedges with nutty tahini, cornstarch, and za’atar, a seed and spice blend known for its balance of tangy, savory, earthy, and herbal notes.
Roasting the Sweet Potatoes
The cornstarch helps bind the fatty tahini and gives the sweet potatoes a crisp exterior. We roast the wedges until golden brown and meltingly tender. For the finishing sauce, more tahini and za’atar are stirred into creamy yogurt, with lime juice for a refreshing tang.
Recipe
Tahini-Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Za’atar
- Start to finish: 50 minutes (20 minutes active)
- Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup plus 3 tablespoons tahini, divided
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon za’atar, divided
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper
- 2 pounds orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1- to 1½-inch wedges
- ¾ cup plain whole-milk yogurt
- 1 teaspoon grated lime zest OR lemon zest, plus 2 tablespoons lime juice OR lemon juice
Directions:
- Heat the oven to 450°F with a rack in the lower-middle position. Line a rimmed baking sheet with kitchen parchment.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the ⅓ cup tahini and oil; set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, 1 tablespoon za’atar, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Add the sweet potatoes and toss to coat. Pour in the tahini mixture and rub the mixture into the potatoes; reserve the small bowl. Distribute in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Roast until the potatoes are lightly browned on the bottom, about 15 minutes, rotating the baking sheet about halfway through. Remove from the oven and, using a thin metal spatula, flip each wedge. Roast until golden brown and a skewer inserted into the potatoes meets no resistance, about another 15 minutes, once again flipping the wedges and rotating the sheet halfway through.
- Meanwhile, in the reserved bowl, whisk together the yogurt, lime zest and juice, the remaining 3 tablespoons tahini, the remaining 1 teaspoon za’atar, and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Transfer the potatoes to a platter. Serve with the yogurt-lime sauce.
- Optional garnish: Ground sumac, Aleppo pepper, chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, or a combination.
Conclusion
This recipe is a game-changer for sweet potato lovers. The combination of tahini, cornstarch, and za’atar creates a crispy exterior and a creamy, flavorful interior. The yogurt-lime sauce adds a refreshing tang that cuts through the richness of the sweet potatoes. Try this recipe as a side dish or as a vegetarian main course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is za’atar?
A: Za’atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend that typically includes thyme, oregano, marjoram, sumac, and toasted sesame seeds.
Q: Can I substitute lime juice with lemon juice?
A: Yes, you can substitute lime juice with lemon juice, but keep in mind that it will change the flavor profile of the dish.
Q: Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can roast the sweet potatoes up to a day ahead of time and refrigerate them. Reheat them in the oven before serving.
Q: Can I adjust the amount of za’atar?
A: Yes, you can adjust the amount of za’atar to your taste. Start with the recommended amount and add more if you prefer a stronger flavor.
