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This recipe takes inspiration from Middle Eastern “kofta,” a type of well-seasoned and often skewered meatball. Our rich beef owes its delicious complexity to additions like golden raisins and warming North African spices (balanced by a cooling sauce of labneh and lemon). We’re playing off the sweet notes with a side of roasted butternut squash. (To keep your patties intact when adding them to the pan and turning them, be sure to carefully lift the patties themselves—not the wooden skewers!)

Ethan Mick

with Roasted Squash & Garlic Rice

Spiced Beef Skewers

Ground Beef

Wooden Skewers

Brown Rice

Garlic

Butternut Squash

Lemon

Panko Breadcrumbs

Ras El Hanout

Golden Raisins

Labneh Cheese

Ingredients

Preheat the oven to 450°F. Wash and dry the fresh produce. [Peel and mince the garlic.](https://admin.blueapron.com/#) [Cut off and discard the squash ends; using a knife, carefully peel the squash, then separate the neck and bulb.](#) Cut the squash into ½-inch-thick rounds; scoop out and discard the pulp and seeds. [Using a peeler, remove the yellow rind of the lemon, avoiding the white pith; mince the rind to get 2 teaspoons of zest (or use a zester).](#) [Quarter and deseed the lemon.](#)

Prepare the ingredients:

In a small pot, heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add **half the garlic** and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, 1 to 2 minutes, or until golden brown and fragrant. Stir in the **rice**, **a big pinch of salt** and **1 cup of water**. Heat to boiling on high. Once boiling, cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook 43 to 45 minutes, or until the water has been absorbed and the rice is tender. Remove from heat and fluff the cooked rice with a fork.

Cook the rice:

Once the rice has cooked for about 10 minutes, place the **squash** on a sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper; turn to coat. Arrange in a single, even layer and roast, flipping halfway through, 30 to 32 minutes, or until browned and tender when pierced with a fork. Remove from the oven. Top with the **lemon zest**, **the juice of 2 lemon wedges** and a drizzle of olive oil; carefully turn to coat.

Roast the squash:

Once the squash has roasted for about 15 minutes, in a medium bowl, combine the **ground beef**, **breadcrumbs**, **raisins**, **ras el hanout** and **remaining garlic**; season with salt and pepper. Gently mix to combine. Using your hands, form into 4 oval-shaped patties, each about 1 inch thick. Transfer to a plate. Working 1 at a time, insert the ends of the **skewers** lengthwise through the patties. Season with salt and pepper.

Assemble the skewers:

While the squash continues to roast, in a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Carefully add the **assembled skewers** and cook 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through. Remove from heat.

Cook the skewers:

While the skewers cook, in a bowl, combine the **labneh** and **the juice of the remaining lemon wedges**; season with salt and pepper to taste. Divide the **cooked skewers**, **cooked rice** and **roasted squash** between 2 dishes. Serve with the seasoned labneh on the side. Enjoy!