Moroccan Vegetable Stew – Old Town Olive

Ingredients

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 cups chopped onions
• ½ tsp. salt
• 2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
• 1 tsp. ground turmeric
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp. cayenne or red pepper flakes
• ½ tsp. paprika (sweet, hot, or smoked)
• 4 cups peeled and cubed sweet potatoes (1- inch cubes) (2 large, about 1-1/2 pounds)
• 2 cups water
• 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
• 3 cups cubed eggplant (3⁄ 4-i nch cubes) (one 1- pound whole eggplant)
• 1 cup seeded and chopped bell peppers (any color)
• 2 cups chopped zucchini or yellow squash
• 1 15-ounce can chickpeas, undrained (about 1-1⁄ 2 cups beans)
• pinch of saffron
• ½ cup currants or raisins
• 1 to 2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice