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Obsessive Turkish Noodle Stew With Sesame

Sometimes obsession pays off, as with this recipe -- a 21st century version of guvech, a classic Turkish stew, an homage of sorts to Mr. Pamuk. You can bake this for an hour in a covered casserole. You can also throw everything in a generous soup pot, clap the lid on it and cook it over high-ish heat atop the stove for 25 minutes and be done with it. Both ways work. No need to obsess about it.

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces noodles whole grain fusilli holds the sauce rather nicely
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 zucchini
  • 1 onion
  • 8 ounces mushrooms
  • 2 15- ounce cans diced tomatoes or 3 to 4 really gorgeous ripe tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup red wine or vegetable broth
  • 1 handful fresh mint leaves
  • juice of 2 lemons
  • 2 tablespoons tahini
  • 2 tablespoons harissa Moroccan red pepper paste*
  • 1/4 cup sesame seeds
  • sea salt and ground pepper

Instructions
 

  • To bake:
  • Preheat oven to 400.
  • Pour pasta into a large casserole. Slice zucchini, onion and mushrooms, and scatter on top. Drizzle olive oil over all. Top with mint leaves.
  • In a large bowl, stir together together tomatoes, wine or broth, lemon juice, tahini and harissa. Pour over noodles and vegetables. Cover with lid and bake for one hour.
  • Toast sesame seeds in oven (same temperature as guvech) for 4 minutes, or until just golden. Scatter sesame seeds over casserole, season with salt and pepper.
  • To do stovetop:
  • Pour olive oil into a large soup pot. Heat over medium-high heat.
  • Slice zucchini, onion and mushrooms. Add to pot, along with pasta, stirring to coat.
  • Pour in tomatoes, wine or broth, tahini and harissa. Bring mixture to boil. Stir well and place lid on pot. Reduce heat to medium and let cook for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until vegetables and pasta are just tender and have absorbed most of the sauce. Squeeze in lemon juice and add mint leaves. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Preheat oven to 400. Pour sesame seeds into a small heatproof bowl or ramekin. Toast for 4 minutes. .Sprinkle sesame seeds over pasta and vegetables and serve.

Notes

*Should you find yourself harissaless, substitute a teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon coriander and 1 teaspoon caraway seeds and hope for the best.