Tomatillo Spelt Tabbouleh

Difficulty:
1/5

Ease of Preparation: Easy

Yield: Serves 4-6

Tomatillo Spelt Tabbouleh

Spelt is a healthy ancient grain, making a comeback in recent years due to its high levels of protein, dietary fibre, and B vitamins. As the grain in this smart, vegetal, and bright take on tabbouleh, it really shines.

Ingredients:

 Spelt:

  • 1 ½ cups (350 ml) spelt berries
  • Salt
  • Olive oil, for tossing

Tomatillo Tabbouleh:

  • 2 jalapeños
  • Raw tomatillos, enough to yield 2 cups (470 ml) minced (may substitute canned, drained, if fresh are unavailable)
  • 2 cups (470 ml) cooked spelt
  • ¾ cup (180 ml) minced parsley
  • ½ cup (120 ml) minced cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) chiffonade mint
  • ½ cup (120 ml) minced green onions
  • 2 tablespoons (45 ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 lime, juice only
  • 5 teaspoons (10 ml) toasted cumin seeds, ground in a mortar and pestle
  • 1 large garlic clove, minced
  • Salt and pepper

 

Method:

For the Spelt:

Before cooking, rinse the spelt under cold water until the water runs clear.

Cook as you do pasta: bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the spelt berries, and cook, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes, until toothsome.

Drain and toss with olive oil, then lay out on a sheet pan to cool at room temperature.

For the Tabbouleh:

Char the jalapenos over an open flame until evenly blistered, transfer to a bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Leave to steam for 8-10 minutes. When ready, rub away the charred skin, remove the stem and mince.

If still covered in the papery outer skin, soak the tomatillos in water for a few minutes to loosen, then remove and discard.

In a bowl, combine spelt, parsley, cilantro, mint, green onions, garlic, tomatillos, jalapeño, olive oil, lime juice, and cumin, season with salt and pepper.

Toss to combine and transfer to a serving dish.

Serve immediately.