Moroccan Mashed Sweet Potatoes & Green Beans: A Flavorful Side Dish

Escape the ordinary with this vibrant and flavorful Moroccan-inspired side dish! Sweet potatoes and green beans, usually simple accompaniments, transform into a culinary adventure with the warm spices and bright citrus notes of this recipe. Imagine tender sweet potatoes mingling with crisp-tender green beans, all bathed in a fragrant sauce of ginger, cumin, and a hint of cinnamon. The subtle sweetness of the potatoes perfectly complements the earthy green beans, creating a harmonious balance of textures and tastes that will elevate any meal.

This isn't your grandma's mashed sweet potatoes. This recipe infuses classic comfort food with exotic Moroccan flavors, resulting in a side dish that's both familiar and surprisingly exciting. Ready to embark on this culinary journey? Let's dive into the step-by-step instructions and create this delicious Moroccan Mashed Sweet Potatoes & Green Beans side dish together!

Tools Needed

  • Pressure cooker
  • Pot
  • Bowl
  • Knife
  • Cutting board

Ingredients

  • Sweet potatoes
  • Butter
  • Fresh ginger
  • Cinnamon
  • Dried raisins
  • Water: 400ml
  • Salt
  • Green beans (blanched or partially cooked)
  • Garlic: 2 cloves
  • Lemon: 1
  • Olive oil
  • Cumin
  • Chili pepper
  • Fresh parsley
  • Fresh mint
  • Fresh cilantro

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1. Prepare Sweet Potatoes

  • Peel and chop sweet potatoes into 3/4 inch chunks.
  • Slice fresh ginger thinly.
  • Add sweet potatoes, sliced ginger, 400ml water, and salt to a pressure cooker. Cook until it reaches pressure, then cook for 7 minutes.
  • Once cooked, transfer the contents to a bowl. Add cinnamon and butter chunks. Mash everything together.
Peel and chop sweet potatoes into 3/4 inch chunks.Slice fresh ginger thinly.Add sweet potatoes, sliced ginger, 400ml water, and salt to a pressure cooker. Cook until it reaches pressure, then cook for 7 minutes.Once cooked, transfer the contents to a bowl. Add cinnamon and butter chunks. Mash everything together.
Prepare Sweet Potatoes
  • Strain the rehydrated raisins and add them to the mashed sweet potatoes. Mix well.
Strain the rehydrated raisins and add them to the mashed sweet potatoes. Mix well.
Prepare Sweet Potatoes

Step 2. Rehydrate Raisins

  • Pour boiling water over raisins to rehydrate. (This step is for later use)
Pour boiling water over raisins to rehydrate. (This step is for later use)
Rehydrate Raisins

Step 3. Prepare Green Beans

  • Slice blanched green beans into 3/4 inch lengths.
  • Finely chop fresh herbs (parsley, mint, cilantro).
  • Juice half a lemon.
  • Finely mince garlic into a puree.
Slice blanched green beans into 3/4 inch lengths.Finely chop fresh herbs (parsley, mint, cilantro).Juice half a lemon.Finely mince garlic into a puree.
Prepare Green Beans
  • Heat olive oil in a pot on medium-high heat. Add minced garlic, cumin, and chili pepper (or harissa). Stir until fragrant.
  • Add blanched green beans to the pot and stir until heated through and evenly coated with spices.
  • Add lemon juice, salt to taste, and chopped fresh herbs to the green beans. Mix well.
Heat olive oil in a pot on medium-high heat. Add minced garlic, cumin, and chili pepper (or harissa). Stir until fragrant.Add blanched green beans to the pot and stir until heated through and evenly coated with spices.Add lemon juice, salt to taste, and chopped fresh herbs to the green beans. Mix well.
Prepare Green Beans

Step 4. Combine and Serve

Read more: Arabian Flame Grilled Fish (Samak Mashwi) Recipe

Tips

  • Pressure cookers save time compared to boiling.
  • Don't over-chop the herbs.

Nutrition

  • Calories: estimated 400-500
  • Fat: estimated 20-25g
  • Carbs: estimated 60-70g
  • Protein: estimated 5-7g

FAQs

1. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! The mashed sweet potatoes and green beans can be made a day in advance and reheated gently. The flavors will actually deepen overnight.

2. What can I substitute if I don't have preserved lemon?

A squeeze of fresh lemon juice will work well, though it won't have quite the same intense, salty-tangy flavor. You could also try adding a pinch of extra salt and a few drops of lemon extract.


This Moroccan-spiced sweet potato and green bean side dish is a delightful departure from the ordinary, offering a unique and flavorful experience. Its vibrant taste and simple preparation make it a perfect addition to any weeknight dinner or special occasion meal. Enjoy the satisfying blend of sweet, savory, and subtly spicy flavors – your taste buds will thank you!