Spring

Summer Squash Couscous with Sultanas, Pistachios and Mint

by:
June 30, 2010
4.6
9 Ratings
  • Serves 4
Author Notes

I was in the mood for a light couscous salad, and the subsequent ingredients just felt right. I used squash and zucchini to incorporate some more color, but if you have a penchant for one over the other, knock yourself out! You could also try substituting the lemon juice with grapefruit or lime juice -- I just used lemon because I always have a surplus in my house. - The Internet Cooking Princess —theicp

Test Kitchen Notes

This dish is supposed to serve four, but we wouldn't be above polishing off the entire thing among just the two of us. It's well-balanced, with tart, sweet and savory playing off each other with every bite -- not to mention the fact that it's beautiful to look at, studded with brightly colored chunks of squash, golden sultanas and green flecks of mint. The Internet Cooking Princess recommends serving the couscous at room temperature, but we think it's great hot, cold and all temperatures in between. - A&M —The Editors

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • Juice of one lemon
  • 1/2 teaspoon honey
  • Olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 1/4 cups veggie stock
  • 1 cup couscous
  • 1/2 cup diced yellow squash
  • 1/2 cup diced zucchini
  • 1 medium shallot, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup sultanas/golden raisins
  • 1/4 cup chopped pistachios
  • Kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
  • Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
  1. In a small bowl, whisk the lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, and 1/4 cup of olive oil. Add the garlic cloves and let them steep for about 30 minutes.
  2. Next, bring the veggie stock to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in the couscous, cover, and turn off the heat; allow the couscous to sit for about 5 minutes, or until it absorbs all the liquid. Toss the couscous with a fork so the grains don't start clumping together, pour into a large mixing bowl, and set aside.
  3. In a skillet over medium high heat, add about 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Then, add the chopped squash and zucchini, shallot, sultanas, pistachios and a pinch or two of salt. Only cook for about a minute or two -- you still want the squash and zucchini to be al dente. This just ensures they aren't too al dente, and all the flavors can marry before they hit the couscous. Set aside until everything reaches room temperature.
  4. Once the veggies have reached room temperature, add them to the bowl with the couscous and combine.
  5. Then, remove and discard the cloves of garlic from the dressing, and toss it with the couscous (add the dressing gradually, as you may not need it all). Fold in the mint, season with additional salt and pepper if necessary and serve at room temperature.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Cheryl
    Cheryl
  • Emily Love
    Emily Love
  • dani
    dani
  • Miche
    Miche
  • Virginia Martin
    Virginia Martin

92 Reviews

Cheryl June 14, 2020
What makes this so delicious? Surely a big part is the dressing (I used more lemon juice and zest)! Made it vegan with agave instead of honey, easily tripled the squash and used a small onion instead of shallot, which I cooked a little before adding the squash. Used about 3T of mint and could have done more. Thank you!
 
kara September 11, 2018
the flavors of this are excellent. I used Israeli couscous instead of regular fine couscous with outstanding results (cooked to package directions for the couscous of course.) Leftovers are wonderful mixed into salad greens the next day. I will definitely make this again before summer is over since the zucchini plant is still going strong in our garden here.
 
ghainskom August 8, 2017
No sad desk lunch. Nothing to change to this recipe!
 
ENEB August 1, 2017
This was fantastic! I enjoyed making it and enjoyed eating it even more!
 
Emily L. June 17, 2017
This is indeed a wonderful versatile recipe. I doubled the amount of squash/zucchini, used a brown rice mix I had on hand, and subbed dried cranberries for sultanas. It turned out great and I would definitely make it again!
 
A F. August 5, 2016
This is a great and versatile recipe! One of the best ways I have found to truly enjoy zucchini. I used ingredients that I had on hand (Farro for the couscous, pecans for the pistachios and raisins for the sultanas). I would make it again the same way- it was so delicious! The mint is a must, it really makes this dish. I also made this recipe with quinoa, toasted chopped almonds and raisins to bring and event for a GF option. Just as yummy!

Thank you for this recipe!
 
Pittsburgher January 26, 2015
Made this tonight, subbed dried apricots for the sultanas with delicious results. A nice weeknight winter salad! Leftovers for breakfast tomorrow with blueberries & kefir...
 
dani October 4, 2014
This is one of our favorite meals. I make it often. Thanks for sharing.
 
Miche July 22, 2014
It liked it with currants substituted for the sultanas.
 
Virginia M. July 21, 2014
I just made this tonight to eat with lamb burgers and it was really delicious. It is a great way to use up summer squash, especially if summer squash isn't your favorite abundant vegetable. Next time I'll probably use fewer sultanas as I found their sweetness to be a little overpowering of the other flavors in the dish, but even as I made it it was extremely good and I would highly recommend it.
 
melissa July 7, 2014
I've been looking for a an isreali couscous salad with golden raisins recipe like this for forever! I tried it at restaurants but could never find a recipe... So good - holds up nicely for leftovers too. I made this for a potluck and got so many compliments.
 
Dc May 11, 2014
So glad this showed up on a Zgoogle search for summer squash recipes. Doubled the recipe, used all summer squash plus a chopped onion, and walnuts instead of pistachios, oh and no raisins (couldn't get to the store). Really good. Next time I promise to follow the recipe!
 
luvcookbooks November 7, 2013
Just made this for dinner with quinoa instead of couscous-- delicious!
 
Tamara H. September 7, 2013
I just made this and it was so delicious! We only had Israeli couscous, so I used that instead, it was amazing!
 
OldGrayMare August 15, 2013
Probably my favorite recipe ever! And for my husband, who needs to have minimal gluten....it works fine with rice instead of the couscous.
 
ortolan July 29, 2013
Incredibly delicious. A winner.
 
ktmckinsey July 24, 2013
I am absolutely in love with this dish. I've made it three times in the past couple weeks. It's pretty yummy the next day for lunch, especially when served over a spinach salad. Yum!
 
magdalena July 3, 2013
I love this dish! I made a few changes to work with what I had on hand: instead of golden raisins, I used chopped dried apricots, and instead of yellow squash, I used chopped green cabbage. The lemon drizzle at the end was AMAZING! Most definitely a keeper!
 
Liz H. June 6, 2013
AMAZING. Eating it right now, SO GOOD. Can't get over how delicious this is. Made with almonds instead of pistachios since that's what I had.

Re: unsalted pistachios. Trader Joe's has unsalted, shelled, chopped pistachios.

Anyone know of a bean or other vegetarian protein source that I could add to this to increase the protein for my vegetarian sister? Thank you!
 
Kris L. July 18, 2013
I would think that garbanzo beans (chickpeas) would make a nice protein addition.
 
Kathy R. May 14, 2013
I made this last night and thought it was really good. I didn't have any couscous so I used 1/2 cup quinoa cooked in 1 cup of water with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Maybe a bit more squash since I used one medium yellow squash and one medium zucchini. I think any of the grains that people mentioned would be fine.
 
AntoniaJames March 7, 2013
Yes, but cook the farro according to the package instructions. Or, if you bought it in bulk, cover the farro with cold water by about an inch and let it stand for at least 20 minutes. Drain off the cold water and then cook the farro in the veggie stock, at a ration of two parts of stock to one part of farro. Cook at a low boil for about 25 minutes. And save the cooking liquid, once you've drained the farro for the salad. Cooking liquid from farro is rich in flavor, so save it to use in a soup or stew within the next few days (or freeze it for up to three months). Sounds so delicious (the substitution you're considering)! ;o)
 
Ceege March 7, 2013
I am a beginning vegan. Would like to know if farro could be substituted in this recipe as that is my favorite grain. This recipe sounds wonderful and I can't wait to try it.
 
Stephanie J. February 23, 2013
So yummy and very easy to make.
 
chimera July 25, 2012
This was absolutely delicious - so delish I had to blog about it and link back to the recipe!
 
CookLikeMad July 2, 2012
Superb! Substituted cooked quinoa for couscous to great effect for gluten-free guests. Enjoyed warm with lemon-mint marinated lamb chops. Adding this to my regular summer rotation.
 
em-i-lis June 10, 2012
this was DELISH! many thanks!
 
LazyVeggie April 1, 2012
An easy recipe for this lazy cook. My guests loved it and I took the leftovers for lunch the next day. Thanks!
 
aargersi October 23, 2011
Here is the magic of this recipe - my hubby does not like couscous, or squash, or mint, or raisins in anything but raisin bran, and yet - he loves this couscous! So there you go!
 
OldGrayMare August 30, 2011
Just made this for dinner tonight.....and since I didn't have any couscous on hand, used leftover cold rice. Also used a couple of chopped scallions (didn't have a shallot)....wonderful, wonderful!!!
 
charticus July 19, 2011
In the past 10 days, this dish has found its way into backyard barbecues, lunches at the parc, and into my belly as a snack between meals. I now find myself hoarding golden raisins and summer squash. What an amazing recipe!
 
Louisa July 14, 2011
Great dish! Have made it twice this summer. I double the squash and lemon, and the second time I made it I used toasted almonds instead of pistachios. This is a very accommodating recipe!
 
Veena G. July 4, 2011
Dangersously good.my whole family loved it.Thanks for sharing.
 
Teri July 4, 2011
Made this for Fourth of July picnic. Thanks again!
 
phyllis July 3, 2011
I made this for a BBQ yesterday. I used zucchini, corn, and dried cranberries instead of the sultanas. I liked the pistachios and mint. It was a big hit and will definitely keep this in the BBQ and dinner rotation. Thank you, TICP!!!
 
Rivka June 30, 2011
Hey A&M, I'm wondering what couscous you used when you made this for its glamor shot. The grains look almost tear-shaped - that's some beautiful couscous, and I'd love to find some myself.
 
sharibrooks June 29, 2011
i made this dish! it was awesome. In addition to cashews, I added in dried cranberries and golden raisins. Thanks for sharing.
 
laurel'skitchen June 29, 2011
Were the pistachios salted or unsalted? Unsalted are hard to find. thanks
 
ModernSwap June 28, 2011
This was so good! I substituted quinoa for couscous for some extra protein, left out the raisins, added a 1/2 cup of diced mushrooms, and cut the pistachios down to 2 tbsp. That Lemon Garlic vinaigrette is incredible - I'll be making that as a salad dressing from now on I think!
 
Dr.Insomnia June 25, 2011
Loved this recipe, though the squash flavor was really muted. Maybe I cooked it too long - if it's going to be diced, it almost needs to just be tossed quickly in the hot oil and pulled or it's going to be cooked past al dente.
 
cateler May 4, 2011
served this for the teacher appreciation week lunch at school today - used 2 1/2 cups of dry couscous and it was gone in a flash!! Yum yum yum.
 
Table9 October 25, 2010
Congrats on the win! It looks like you cooked the couscous 'risotto style'. So impressed that it only took a little vegetable broth to get that affect! I would also like to try barley with this dish...look forward to reading more from you.
 
LindaB August 25, 2010
great way to use summer veggies!
 
arielleclementine August 21, 2010
ICP!!! i'm eating this right now and it tastes like happiness!! brilliant recipe, girl!
 
Laura_ August 19, 2010
I can't stop eating this. It is de-lish!
 
zazafrasca August 18, 2010
I love the combo of couscous and sultanas. reminds me of Persian rice dishes that have almonds and dried cherries in them.
 
kumalavula August 14, 2010
it quite telling to say that i've made this dish twice in the last month.
i substituted currants for the sultanas and everyone's loved it.
a great combination of colors, flavors and textures.
 
Rivka July 27, 2010
I've made this three times: once with couscous, once with Israeli couscous, and yet again last night, in the style of fideos (broken capellini braised in stock, other stuff added according to instructions). It's definitely a new staple. Thanks, TICP!
 
lapadia July 21, 2010
Yum...Congrats on your win and thanks for sharing!
 
EmilyNunn July 20, 2010
A belated congrats, ICP. I can't wait to make this. So alluring.
 
Teri July 18, 2010
I just made this for lunch. Dangerously good. I can see why one bowl isn't enough. I used dried cranberries instead of sultanas (cause it's what I had) and a little onion instead of shallot. I also salted along the way -- the dressing and the zucchini. And I fished out the smashed garlic to save for some concoction at dinner. Thanks for the recipe.
 
dymnyno July 18, 2010
I made this again and left out the squash completely. Much better! the squash really doesn't do much for the flavor and texture and without it the pistachios (which I love) and mint really shine through.
 
dymnyno July 18, 2010
I didn't mean to say that the squash doesn't taste good, but personally I don't like big chunks of raw squash. It is just a personal taste. Maybe I would like it if I cooked the squash.
 
Miche July 18, 2010
Excellent! I substituted currants for the the sultanas (esp. if you don't have any zucchini, it relieves the all beige look) and also suggest doubling the squash. The mint and lemon zest are essential.
 
drbabs July 15, 2010
I made this dish last night at our big rented beach house. It scaled well--everyone loved it--and it was really flexible. We used cashews (because we had them in the house) instead of pistachios and chicken broth instead of vegetable stock (ditto), and I upped the ratio of lemon to olive oil a little (which I generally do...). It was wonderful and there was even a little left over, which I'm looking forward to having for lunch today. Thanks, ICP, for a really great recipe!
 
Phyllis G. July 14, 2010
congratulations. looks fabulous. seems like a recipe i could easily do with my kids. and thanks for the lovely comment about my tart!
 
fiveandspice July 14, 2010
Yay! Congrats! This is a truly delicious dish and the win is well deserved!
 
Roxanne D. July 14, 2010
Congratulations on the win....I will be making it in the near future
 
Dale H. July 13, 2010
Just has this for dinner and it was delicious. Made it with Israeli Cous Cous, as in the photo. A perfect summer dish.
 
fiveandspice July 12, 2010
Can't wait to try this! I need to make something for a barbecue that will please vegetarians, gluten free, and dairy free friends alike, and I think this dish made with quinoa will be PERFECT!
 
theicp July 12, 2010
Thanks! Hope everyone enjoys!!
 
saltandserenity July 11, 2010
Is that Israeli couscous you used? Looks and sounds yummy.
 
theicp July 11, 2010
I used standard semolina wheat couscous, but this would work just fine with Israeli couscous. Or, you could try it with quinoa as MrsLarkin suggest below!
 
TheWimpyVegetarian July 10, 2010
I made this for a dinner side dish tonight and I loved it so much it became my main dish. Even my husband, not a huge couscous fan, raved about it! I kept tasting it while I was making it and loved it even before I added the mint; but the mint really put it over the top! Really Great recipe, ICP!!
 
TheWimpyVegetarian July 10, 2010
I should add for others allergic to nuts like I am, I substituted toasted pine nuts and it worked great. I'm sure it's even better with pistachios, but no can do.
 
theicp July 10, 2010
Thank you so much! So glad you guys liked it! Unfortunately, it didn't convert my boyfriend. He can't stand couscous - he grimaced even before I made him try it!
 
mrslarkin July 9, 2010
This sounds so good! I bet it would also work with quinoa. Love the sweet and savory combo.
 
theicp July 10, 2010
I was thinking the same thing myself! Next time I try it, I'll make it with quinoa and let you know how it goes!
 
dymnyno July 9, 2010
I am making sure that I have couscous ...I love that we have such different recipes! This really sounds delicious...and it's beautiful.
 
theicp July 10, 2010
Thanks! I'm going to the store today and making sure that I have some heavy cream and tarragon on hand for your recipe. Yum!
 
dymnyno July 10, 2010
You can use light cream , like 1/2 and 1/2.
 
shari L. July 9, 2010
This is such a beautiful dish and sounds yummy too! I love the addition of the pistachios. A nice toothy choice. Can't wait to try ICP
 
theicp July 9, 2010
Thanks!! I added the pistachios because, well, I love them and I never use them in cooking. Hope you like!
 
jclairewilson July 9, 2010
Fabulous combination - so creative and fresh looking. This Recipe + Wine + (who am I kidding - cookie dough) = Perfect girl's night contribution! We're going to make it together this weekend!
 
theicp July 9, 2010
Clearly you ladies know how to have a good time! Have fun!
 
Susan D. July 9, 2010
This looks fabulous. I voted for this recipe and can't wait to try it--maybe this weekend!
 
theicp July 9, 2010
Thanks Susan - hope you like it!!
 
auntnell67 July 9, 2010
Wonderful blend of flavors. Great addition to any menu summer menu and setting.
 
theicp July 9, 2010
Thank you! Hope you get a chance to try it!
 
Jamie B. July 8, 2010
this is amazing - ive tried it and my family is obsessed with it! this should totally win - pure genius!!!!
 
theicp July 8, 2010
Wow - glad your family enjoys it!
 
monkeymom July 8, 2010
This is beautiful. Just the word sultana makes it sound amazing too. Congrats on making the finals. Looking forward to trying this!
 
theicp July 8, 2010
Haha - it's amazing what the right choice of words can do!
 
mariaraynal July 8, 2010
Congratulations! What a great sounding recipe -- love the sweetness from the honey and golden raisins. Yet another good one from the ICP!
 
theicp July 8, 2010
'Yet another' - you just made my day. Thank you!
 
Congrats on being a finalist! It looks delicious - definitely going to try it!
 
theicp July 8, 2010
Thank you ChezSuzanne - hope it hits the spot!
 
drbabs July 8, 2010
Congratulations on being a finalist! This is so great--I'm taking it with me to the beach where 17 members of our family will be spending next week. I'm sure they'll love it!
 
theicp July 8, 2010
Thanks! It would be perfect for lunch on the beach. Although, you may need to triple or quadruple it!
 
drbabs July 8, 2010
From what M&A wrote, it sounds as if I'm going to have to octuple it!
 
theicp July 5, 2010
Thanks - hope you like it!
 
AntoniaJames June 30, 2010
Gorgeous! On my must-try list, to be sure. ;o)