Moroccan Chickpea Stew with Preserved Lemons
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🌿 Introduction
Some recipes feel like travel — like opening your kitchen door and stepping into another rhythm entirely. This Moroccan Chickpea Stew was inspired by the slow, fragrant cooking that makes winter feel alive again. Chickpeas simmer gently with garden vegetables, warm spices, and preserved lemon — a taste that’s both exotic and familiar, grounding and bright.
I first made it on a cold Sunday when I needed something that felt comforting yet alive. The scent of cumin and cinnamon filled the house, and I realized how grace often feels like this: warmth unfolding slowly, revealing its layers over time.
This stew isn’t just food — it’s presence, patience, and peace served in a bowl.
💛 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Deep, complex flavor from simple pantry ingredients.
- Naturally vegan and gluten-free.
- Comforting yet vibrant — perfect for cold nights.
- Freezer-friendly and easy to batch cook.
- Balanced with protein, fiber, and bright citrus notes.
🕰️ Quick Reference Snapshot
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
Total Time: 45–50 minutes
Yield: 4–6 servings
Skill Level: Easy
Equipment: Large pot or Dutch oven, wooden spoon, knife
Dietary Info: Vegan, gluten-free
🧄 Ingredients
(US + Metric)
- 2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp turmeric
- 1 (14 oz / 400 g) can diced tomatoes
- 2 (14 oz / 400 g each) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 3 cups (720 mL) vegetable or Golden Garden Vegetable Broth
- 1 small carrot, diced
- 1 small zucchini, chopped
- 1 preserved lemon, finely chopped (or zest of 1 fresh lemon if unavailable)
- ½ tsp salt, to taste
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, for garnish
🌱 Seasonal Swaps
- Use sweet potatoes instead of zucchini for extra heartiness.
- Add kale or spinach during the last few minutes of simmering.
- If preserved lemons aren’t available, try a splash of lemon juice and extra zest.
🌿 From My Garden
This recipe celebrates what’s still standing tall in the winter garden — hardy herbs, carrots, and the last bits of green before the deep rest. I sometimes use home-dried lemon peel or preserved lemons made in summer — small reminders that the garden gives gifts long after harvest season has ended.
👩🍳 Instructions
Prepare
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add onion and sauté until soft and golden, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in garlic and all the spices; cook 1 minute until fragrant.
Simmer
- Add diced tomatoes, chickpeas, broth, carrot, and zucchini.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and cover.
- Simmer 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender and flavors meld.
Finish
- Stir in preserved lemon and season with salt.
- Adjust consistency with more broth if desired.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro before serving.
🍽 Serving & Pairing Suggestions
- Serve with fluffy couscous, rice, or crusty bread.
- Add a dollop of yogurt or cashew cream on top for balance.
- Pairs beautifully with Winter Greens & Citrus Salad or Garden Herb Popovers.
- Enjoy with Mulled Pomegranate & Apple Cider for a cozy winter feast.
- Save leftovers to pair with Savory Herb Scones the next day.
🥡 Storage & Make-Ahead
- Store up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
- Freezes well for up to 3 months — perfect for meal prep.
- Reheat gently, adding a splash of broth or water to loosen consistency.
✨ Final Thoughts
This stew reminds me that the world’s beauty often rests in simple ingredients shared with love. Every spice tells a story — of warmth, of resilience, of grace carried across generations.
May your kitchen be filled with the scent of slow goodness this season, and may each bowl remind you that even ordinary things can become sacred when seasoned with intention. 🌍💛
🤝 Community & Connection
- Instagram — Daily garden moments & behind-the-scenes; tag your dish so I can cheer you on! 🌿📸
- Subscribe — Fresh recipes, seasonal tips, and printable freebies delivered weekly. ✉🍂
- Join FB Group — Ask questions, swap ideas, and share what’s growing with a kind, garden-loving community. 🌱🫶
🛒 Favorites from My Kitchen to Yours
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- Dutch oven — perfect for slow simmering.
- Wooden spoon — gentle on your pot, sturdy in your hand.
- Spice jars set — because organized spices inspire creativity.
🌻 Related on Southern Soil Sunshine
- [Golden Garden Vegetable Broth] — The perfect homemade base for this stew.
- [Garden Herb Popovers] — Light, airy bread to soak up the sauce.
- [Carrot Ginger Soup with Coconut & Lime] — Another global-inspired bowl of comfort.
- [Herbal Energy Bites] — For a nourishing afternoon pick-me-up.
- [Spiced Cranberry-Orange Chutney] — A tangy condiment to brighten any winter table.
