Persian-style Pumpkin Cous Cous

Ingredients for Persian-style pumpkin cous cous

1 butternut pumpkin, about 750g
2 capsicums (1 yellow and 1 red), deseeded and halved
250g yellow squash, halved if large
1 orange, cut into large chunks
4 bay leaves
1 cinnamon stick, halved
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
For the couscous:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
½ cup (100g) chopped pitted dates
½ cup (85g) sultanas
1 cinnamon stick
2 tsp grated fresh ginger
150ml dry white wine
1⅓ cups (250g) couscous
1 can (about 400g) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
300ml boiling water
2 tbsp each chopped fresh mint and parsley
juice of 1 orange

Preparation method for Persian-style pumpkin cous cous

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C. Peel the butternut pumpkin and cut in half lengthways. Remove the seeds, and cut across into thick slices. Cut each capsicum half into 12 pieces. Put the pumpkin and capsicums in a roasting tin with the squash, orange, bay leaves, cinnamon stick and garlic. Drizzle over the olive oil. Roast, turning once, for about 25 minutes or until browned and tender.
 
2. Meanwhile, prepare the couscous. Heat the oil in a saucepan, add the onion and garlic, and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the dates, sultanas, cinnamon, ginger and wine. Cover and cook gently for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the couscous and chickpeas, then add the boiling water. Cover and leave to stand for 5 minutes.
 
3. Add the parsley, mint and orange juice to the couscous. Mix in and fluff up with a fork. Spoon the couscous on to four plates and top with the roast vegetables. Serve warm or at room temperature.

From: Beat High Blood Pressure Cookbook