Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400°F (or 204°C). Prick the sweet potatoes all over with a fork and place them on a baking sheet. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork tender but not falling apart.

Step 2

Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, slice them in half and top with the Za’atar Blistered White Beans, Gremolata, and any optional toppings. Spoon a tablespoon tahini over each potato. If desired, you can scoop out of some the sweet potato flesh so the sweet potatoes act as cavities for the toppings.

Step 3

Make the Za'atar. In a small bowl, mix together the minced fresh thyme, toasted sesame seeds, sumac, and 1/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt. Set aside 1 tablespoon of the seasoning for the beans; store any leftovers in a small container in the pantry.

Step 4

Make the Za'atar White Beans. Heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. You will need to use more oil if you are using a stainless-steel skillet. Once the oil is shimmering, add the diced onion and ¼ teaspoon of the salt, and cook for 7-9 minutes, until the onion is golden brown and soft. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Remove the onion mixture from the pan.

Step 5

In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil and ensure that the entire pan is coated with the oil. Add the rinsed and dried beans in small handfuls and spread them out in a single layer. Let the beans cook undisturbed for 3 minutes. Then use a flat spatula to flip the beans and cook for another 3-5 minutes, or until the beans are browned and blistered.

Step 6

Stir the reserved onion mixture back into the skillet, along with the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon of the Za’atar seasoning. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.

Step 7

Make the gremolata. Finely chop the parsley. Using a Microplane, grate the garlic directly over the parsley and then zest the lemon(s) on top. Mix the garlic and lemon zest into the parsley and chop the parsley until finely minced.