Moroccan-Style Cornish Hens with Vegetables

from Gourmet Magazine

submitted by Edda Tusinac

preparation time: 2 hours overall, prep: 15 minutes

serves 8

1 teaspoon caraway seeds

1½ tablespoons salt

4 cloves garlic

¼ cup mild honey

¼ cup fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons paprika

4 teaspoons ground cumin

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon cayenne

1 teaspoon black pepper

2 large zucchinis (1¼ pounds total), halved lengthwise and cut into 1½-inch pieces

2 medium turnips (½ pound total), peeled, halved lengthwise, cut crosswise into 1-inch-thick pieces

2 red bell peppers, quartered and cut into 1½-inch pieces

1½ pound butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1½-inch chunks

2 medium onions, cut lengthwise into 1-inch-thick wedges

1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes, drained and chopped

½ cup chicken broth

4 (1 to 1½-pound) Cornish hens, halved lengthwise

6 tablespoons chopped mixed fresh parsley, cilantro, and mint leaves

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Coarsely grind caraway seeds with salt in an electric coffee/spice grinder or crush with a rolling pin. Mince garlic, then mash to a paste with salt mixture using flat side of a chef's knife. Transfer paste to a large bowl and whisk in honey, lemon juice, oil, spices, and pepper.

Put zucchini, turnips, bell peppers, butternut squash, and onions in an oiled large roasting pan, then add half of spice mixture and toss until well coated. Stir tomatoes and broth into vegetables. Add hens to large bowl with remaining spice mixture and toss to coat, then arrange hens, breast sides up, over vegetables in pan.

Cover pan tightly with foil and roast in middle of oven 1 hour. Uncover and roast until hens are browned and vegetables are tender, 20 to 30 minutes more. Skim fat from cooking liquid. Sprinkle herbs on top and spoon some cooking liquid over hens.

This dish is delicious over couscous, which will absorb the flavorful broth.