Juicy, spice-kissed lamb kofta tucked in warm pitas with cool lemon-herb yogurt and caramelized seasonal delicata squash. Cozy, colorful, and fast—weeknight Mediterranean vibes.
Details
Ingredients
- Simple Truth® Natural Ground Lamb 12 oz Sale $9.49/lb (using ~12 oz ≈ $7.12)
- Delicata squash 1 medium (about 1 lb), seeded and sliced into 1/2-inch half-moons
- Red onion 1/2 medium, thin wedges (reserve a few slices raw for garnish)
- Garlic 3 cloves, 2 grated, 1 minced
- Fresh parsley 1/2 cup, finely chopped (divided)
- Ground cumin 1 tsp
- Ground coriander 1 tsp
- Smoked paprika 1 tsp
- Cinnamon 1/8 tsp
- Olive oil 3 tbsp (divided)
- Plain Greek yogurt (2% or whole) 1/2 cup
- Lemon 1, zested and juiced
- Pita breads 2 large
- Arugula or baby greens 2 cups
- Salt & black pepper To taste
Instructions
- Heat oven to 425°F. Toss delicata squash and red onion wedges with 1.5 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper on a sheet pan. Roast 20–25 min, flipping once, until tender and caramelized.
- Make kofta mix: in a bowl combine ground lamb, grated onion, 2 grated garlic cloves, 1/3 cup parsley, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, cinnamon, 1 tsp salt, and pepper. Mix just to combine. Form 6 small logs or patties.
- Stir the yogurt sauce: yogurt + 1 tbsp lemon juice + lemon zest + remaining parsley + pinch salt. Set aside.
- Sear kofta: heat 1.5 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Cook kofta 3–4 min per side until browned and 145°F for medium (6–8 min total). Rest 2 min.
- Warm pitas in the oven for the last 2–3 min of squash roasting.
- Assemble: spread yogurt on pitas, add arugula, kofta, roasted squash/onion, and a few raw onion slices. Finish with a squeeze of lemon and black pepper. Serve immediately.
Health notes: Approx 800–900 kcal per serving. High-protein, includes fiber-rich squash and herbs. To lighten: use low-fat yogurt and reduce olive oil.
Drink pairing: Grenache or Côtes du Rhône; for beer, a citrusy pale ale.