Moroccan Chickpeas with Chard

1. Sauté Onions and Jalapeño

Begin your culinary journey by warming up four tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, introduce the chopped Spanish onions and jalapeño to the pot. Stir them around for about three minutes, or until the onions start to soften and become translucent. This is the foundation of your flavor base.

2. Add Garlic, Ginger, and Spices

Next, it's time to stir in the minced garlic, grated ginger, and an array of spices including kosher salt, turmeric, sweet paprika, ground cinnamon, cumin, black pepper, and just a pinch of cayenne. You'll want to sauté these together for two minutes. As the spices heat up, they'll release their fragrant oils, infusing the dish with their full-bodied flavors. You'll know it's time to move on when the air is filled with a warm, spicy aroma.

3. Add Tomato Paste

Following the spices, add two tablespoons of tomato paste to the pot. Cook this for about a minute, just until the paste darkens slightly, which concentrates its flavor without burning it.

4. Sauté Vegetables

Once the base is rich and ready, toss in the diced fennel bulb, chard stems, carrots, and turnip. Sauté these together for ten minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to soften and take on a bit of color.

5. Cook Chickpeas

Now, add the soaked and drained chickpeas along with enough water to cover everything by a couple of inches. Bring the pot to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer, partially cover the pot, and let it all cook for one and a half to two hours. The chickpeas should become tender and the flavors will meld beautifully.

6. Add Chard, Apricots, and Lemon

When the chickpeas are nearly done, stir in the torn chard leaves, diced dried apricots, and chopped preserved lemon. Let this simmer for another five minutes, allowing the chard to wilt and the apricots and lemon to infuse their sweet and tangy notes into the stew.

7. Season and Garnish

Finish off the dish by seasoning with more salt to taste and stirring in a generous half cup of chopped cilantro. Pour the stew into your serving dish and sprinkle with additional cilantro and the reserved fennel fronds for a fresh garnish. The result is a vibrant, hearty stew that's as nourishing as it is delicious. Enjoy your creation with a side of warm, crusty bread or over a bed of fluffy couscous.