Shingled Sweet Potatoes with Harissa

Thinly sliced sweet potatoes are layered upright and roasted with a spicy harissa olive oil mixture until tender and crispy, then topped with a homemade dukkah made from pistachios, sesame seeds, and fennel seeds. This impressive side dish combines Middle Eastern flavors with a beautiful presentation.

6 servings
1 hr 19 min

Ingredients

  • cup olive oil
  • cup harissa paste
  • 2 Tbsp white wine vinegar
  • lb sweet potatoes
  • to taste kosher salt
  • 3 Tbsp raw pistachios
  • 2 tsp sesame seeds
  • 1 tsp fennel seeds
  • 1 piece spice mill

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Preheat oven to 400°F. Whisk 2/3 cup oil, 2/3 cup harissa, and 1 Tbsp. vinegar in a large bowl to combine. Slice sweet potatoes crosswise on a mandoline 1/8" thick. Add to bowl with harissa mixture and toss to coat; season with salt.

    10 min

  2. 2.

    Arrange sweet potatoes so they are standing upright in concentric circles in a 2-qt. baking dish, packing tightly, and roast, brushing any accumulated harissa oil in dish onto sweet potatoes every 10-15 minutes, until soft and starting to brown on top, about 1 hour.

    60 min

  3. 3.

    Meanwhile, toss pistachios, sesame seeds, and fennel seeds on a small rimmed baking sheet. Toast alongside sweet potatoes until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Let cool, then transfer to spice mill or mortar and pestle and coarsely grind. Set dukkah aside.

    4 min

  4. 4.

    Whisk remaining 2 Tbsp. oil, 2 Tbsp. harissa, and 1 Tbsp. vinegar in a small bowl. Remove sweet potatoes from oven and brush with oil mixture. Sprinkle with reserved dukkah.

    5 min

  5. 5.

    Dukkah can be made 3 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.