Tahini Roasted Cauliflower With Pepitas and Herbs

By
Brett Moore
Brett Moore
Brett Moore
Before becoming a food writer, Brett Moore earned a culinary degree and worked as a professional chef.
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Updated on 05/5/22
Tahini Roasted Cauliflower

Brett Stevens / Getty Images

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 50 mins
Total: 60 mins
Servings: 6 servings

Whole roasted cauliflower is a quick and easy way to prepare the popular vegetable for a family meal or elegant holiday dinner. Roasted cauliflower is also wonderfully delicious with tahini sauce—the Middle Eastern condiment that is typically served with kabobs. You can whip the tahini sauce up in no time with tahini paste (sesame seed paste), garlic, and lemon juice. If you like your food on the spicy side, just stir in a little harissa (chile pepper paste).

You can find tahini and harissa at most large supermarkets in the same area as olives and salad dressings, or in the international food section. Middle Eastern grocers are also a good bet.

To finish this dish we sprinkle on some chopped fresh herbs and pepitas—those tiny raw pumpkin seeds without a shell.

Ingredients

  • 1 medium head cauliflower

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed, minced

  • 1/2 cup tahini paste

  • 1/4 cup warm water

  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon harissa paste, optional

  • 1/2 cup pepitas, raw

  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil

  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill

  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Preheat your oven to 375 F. Line a baking sheet or shallow casserole dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

  3. Remove the leaves of the cauliflower, trim off the bottom stem, and wash thoroughly. Pat dry.

  4. Rub the cauliflower all over generously with the olive oil.

  5. Place cauliflower stem-side down on the baking sheet or casserole dish and place in a hot oven.

  6. Roast for 45 to 50 minutes until the cauliflower is fork-tender and lightly browned.

  7. While the cauliflower is roasting make your tahini sauce.

  8. Place a sauté pan over medium-high heat with a light coating of olive oil.

  9. Add your crushed garlic and cook until soft and fragrant.

  10. Remove the pan from heat and add the tahini, warm water, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and harissa, if using. Whisk until well combined.

  11. Brush half of the tahini sauce all over the cauliflower.

  12. Cut cauliflower into 6 wedges and place on individual plates.

  13. Drizzle the remaining tahini sauce over the individual cauliflower servings.

  14. Sprinkle the chopped herbs and pepitas over the top and serve immediately.

  15. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
241 Calories
20g Fat
11g Carbs
8g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 241
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 20g 26%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 219mg 10%
Total Carbohydrate 11g 4%
Dietary Fiber 4g 14%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 8g
Vitamin C 50mg 248%
Calcium 55mg 4%
Iron 2mg 12%
Potassium 330mg 7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)