Shawarma is a beautiful Middle Eastern dish that involves spit-roasted lamb or beef, even chicken but is especially delicious when used on an underrated vegetable like cauliflower. The roasted and spiced cauliflower will get a hit of freshness with fresh herbs and lemon juice. The result is a vegetable dish that is a delicious side dish, full of amazing flavor. Even better, it can easily be served as a vegetarian main dish. Here’s how we get it done….

Shawarma is typically a meat dish, think slow-roasted lamb, chicken, or beef that is coated in this beautiful spice blend. Here, cauliflower replaces the meat and the end result is so rich and hearty that it can easily be served as a vegetarian main dish. Making cauliflower taste good should require more than just salt and pepper. Roasting is going to bring out natural sugars in the cauliflower but this dish will rely on a generous amount of olive oil and this sexy shawarma spice blend to become great.

Let’s talk shawarma. Think cumin, paprika, allspice, coriander, and a few more from your spice drawer all mixed together into one seasoning that you’ll want to put onto everything and anything. The combination of spices offers a kind of warmth and depth of flavor to what is otherwise a bland cauliflower. Fresh herbs and citrus also make a big impact; lemon juice, cilantro, and mint will positively transform the cauliflower into something extraordinary.

Olive oil also plays a key role and I’m using a good amount here, a half cup; this will help add richness and keep the cauliflower from scorching in the very hot oven. The shawarma blend will cling to every knobbly bit of the florets as it softens and becomes the most delicious vegetable side dish you’ll have tasted in a very long time. This is one that is often requested by family and friends, and I love that I can use it for a meatless meal, too.

Shawarma Roasted Cauliflower is from the Middle Eastern BBQ menu at Table for 12. It is served with Za’atar Flatbread (Manakish), Roasted Carrots with Labneh, Grilled Lamb Kofta with Onion Relish, and a delicious Raspberry Pistachio Pudding.