5 Ingredients or Fewer

Roasted Potatoes with Za'atar

by:
January 22, 2015
4.5
4 Ratings
Roasted Potatoes with Za'atar
  • Serves 4
Author Notes

Roasted potatoes are a go-to side dish at my table. I always double the amount and use them in other dishes throughout the week. My tween daughter loves them in quesadillas, on pizza, and they are great in a frittata for a light dinner. I am always looking for a way to change them up a little. Za'atar is one of my favorite ways to add flavor. I was writing about roasted chicken with za'atar for a recent blog post and decided to roast the potatoes with it as well. They were just delicious. —at yvonne's table

Test Kitchen Notes

It's not really fair for me to say I'm "testing" this recipe -- roasted potatoes are one of my default sides (just like at Yvonne's table), and I love russets seasoned with the mildly exotic flavor za'atar adds. However, I had never brought yams to the party, and I must say that the tangy spices play very well with the sweet and earthy mix of potatoes. This makes an easy complement to roasted meats, or to a flavorful shakshuka at brunch or dinner. —chezjewels

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes
  • 4-6 medium yukon gold or red skinned potatoes
  • 2 tablespoons za'atar
  • Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Coarse sea salt to garnish
Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 425º F.
  2. Scrub and peel the potatoes as needed (I do not usually peel thin-skinned potatoes, but sweet potatoes should be peeled for this recipe). Cut them in half lengthwise, then cut each half into quarters lengthwise. You may need to cut the sweet potatoes in half across to make each half equal in size to the other potatoes. You will have 6-8 wedges for each potato.
  3. Place the potato wedges, za’atar, and fine sea salt and pepper (make sure to season well) in a large bowl, and swirl the extra-virgin olive oil around the bowl a few times to coat everything lightly before turning onto a baking sheet.
  4. Place in the lower third of the oven and roast for 30 minutes, turning once, until the vegetables are crisp around the edges and deeply colored. Place the potatoes on a platter, and lightly season with coarse sea salt. (You will want to use a metal spatula to turn the potatoes so they brown evenly but do not force them if they stick to the pan. They will release when they are browned and you can easily turn them to the other side to finish cooking.)
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5 Reviews

Matt L.
Matt L. February 17, 2015
Great recipe and Za'atar is a great idea for an addition. I did some work on roast potatoes recently, and found you'll get crispier roast potatoes and use less oil if you follow a few simple steps - here's the recipe if you're interested - www.timedeating.co.uk/secret-roast-potatoes
 
at Y.
at Y. February 16, 2015
Thank you Dena for answering !!
I have been able to find Za'tar at Whole Foods as well, I order mine through Penzey's Spice.....https://www.penzeys.com.....
 
Dena
Dena February 16, 2015
:)
 
I_Fortuna
I_Fortuna February 15, 2015
Nice recipe but it would be helpful to explain what za-atar is. It will be impossible to buy this in my town so I will have to make my own.
Do you have a good recipe for it? If so, please post it here if possible.
Thank you,
 
Dena
Dena February 16, 2015
Za'tar is a Middle Eastern mix of thyme, sesame seeds, salt and sumac. It's usually used on a treat called manouche and eaten for breakfast - a za'tar pie if you will. You can find it at most Middle Eastern stores.