Vegan Za’atar-Spiced Chickpea Stew
with Zucchini, Bell Pepper, Parsley & Basmati Rice
- Sesame
This hearty Lebanese-inspired stew is layered with spices for a full-flavored experience in every bite. You’ll simmer chickpeas, zucchini, and bell pepper in a cumin, paprika, and za’atar-spiced tomato broth until tender. Serve over fluffy, fragrant basmati rice with a sprinkle of parsley for a fresh, colorful garnish.
Ingredients
3 unit
Veggie Stock Concentrate
1 unit
Chickpeas
1 unit
Tomato Paste
1 unit
Zucchini
1 teaspoon
Cumin
1 teaspoon
Paprika
1 teaspoon
Chili Flakes
2 clove
Garlic
¼ ounce
Parsley
1 unit
Bell Pepper
1 cup
Basmati Rice
½ tablespoon
Za'atar Spice
(Contains: Sesame)
Not included in your delivery
2 teaspoon (tsp)
Salt
1 teaspoon (tsp)
Olive Oil
2 teaspoon (tsp)
Cooking Oil
teaspoon (tsp)
Black Pepper
Nutrition Values
Utensils
Cooking Steps
• In a small pot (medium pot for 4 servings) combine rice, 1 1⁄2 cups water (3 cups for 4), and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low; cook until rice is tender, 18-20 minutes. • Keep covered off heat until ready to serve.
• While rice cooks, wash and dry produce. • Peel and mince garlic. Trim and slice zucchini crosswise into 1⁄2-inch-thick rounds. Core, deseed, and dice bell pepper into 1⁄2-inch pieces. Roughly chop parsley. • In a small bowl, combine garlic, cumin, paprika, half the Za’atar Spice (all for 4 servings), and as many chili flakes as you like.
• Heat a large drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add spice mixture and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 10-15 seconds. TIP: Watch carefully and stir constantly to prevent burning! • Whisk in tomato paste; cook, whisking, until slightly darkened, 10-15 seconds. • Add 1 1⁄2 cups water (3 cups for 4 servings), chickpeas and their liquid, zucchini, bell pepper, stock concentrates, 1⁄2 tsp salt (1 tsp for 4), and pepper; stir to combine. • Increase heat to high, then cover and bring to a boil. Once boiling, uncover and reduce heat to medium. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid has reduced and slightly thickened, 8-10 minutes. TIP: For a thicker stew, mash half the chickpeas with the back of a spoon! • Turn off heat; taste and season with salt and pepper.
• Fluff rice with a fork; stir in a drizzle of olive oil (large drizzle for 4 servings). • Divide rice between shallow bowls and top with chickpea stew. Garnish with parsley and serve.
Customer reviews
Review summary
Updated on Dec 2025- Flavor: Many enjoyed the spice blend, though some found it mild; consider adding extra chili flakes or za'atar for more punch 🌶️.
- Ease of prep: Simple to make with clear instructions, though a few noted the garlic step was easy to miss.
- Suggestions: For a thicker stew, reduce water or mash more chickpeas. Try adding fresh tomato or a squeeze of lemon for brightness.
- Portions: Generous servings left some with leftovers, while others wanted more stew compared to rice.
- Texture: Some found it too watery; simmer longer or use less liquid for a heartier consistency.
Reviews from our home cooks
I think this will be added to our weekly rotation for dinner. This recipe was so delicious. It had the perfect amount of spice. My 11 year old could easily follow directions and help cook it. This is the winter time meal for everyone!
A huge hit with our family. More za'tar spiced recipes or vegetarian stews with no dairy would be greatly appreciated. This is one of your best.
Unparalleled taste, fantastic ease to make - delicious and a repeat order especially for the fall/winter months!
This was amazing! Our daughter even ate the leftovers and wants us to make it again. Really tasty!
You sent a green bell pepper. That made the dish green on green on green. Not very pretty to look at. Send a RED (possibly yellow) instead. Good taste though
DELICIOUS. Added 1/4 of an onion before toasting the spices and it was perfect.
I went all in on the spice, more than the recipe implied. For the win.
Love this!! Only down side was the portion of rice was small
Did not thicken enough to be a stew. Remained liquidy enough to be a very runny stew. Ended up adding an extra can of chickpeas. If I make again I will be reducing the amount of water added in before the veggie stock concentrate. The spice flavor profile was amazing though.
this was pretty good. most of the flavor came from the chili flakes even though i used all of the other spices provided. needs less rice relative to the amount of other ingredients so that the flavor of the sauce and veggies comes through more clearly. also sauce needs to be thicker--less watery. this would also provide more flavor.
