Hummus with Spiced Summer Squash and Lamb

Over the course of my life, I’ve gotten in lots of fights with my family and friends about whether or not hummus is a suitable dinner dish. I will always stand with team, Hummus for Dinner. Others do not agree with me but, one day I made this for some guests that disagreed, and they quickly changed sides. Prove the naysayers wrong.

Ingredients

Hummus

• 2 15.5-oz. cans chickpeas, rinsed
• 1 garlic clove, coarsely chopped
• ½ cup tahini
• 3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1¼ tsp. kosher salt

Lamb and Assembly

• 2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1½ tsp. ground coriander
• 1½ tsp. ground cumin
• ¼ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided, plus more for drizzling
• 1 lb. ground lamb or beef
• 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced, divided
• 1 lb. summer squash and/or zucchini, cut into ¾" pieces
• ¼ cup chopped parsley or cilantro

Recipe

Hummus

Process chickpeas in a food processor until powdery clumps form, about 30 seconds. Add garlic, tahini, lemon juice, and salt and process until smooth. With motor running, drizzle in ½ cup water and process until hummus is very smooth, light, and creamy. Spoon onto a large plate.

Lamb and Assembly

Mix together salt, coriander, cumin, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a small bowl. Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add lamb and press into a large 1¼"-thick patty; sprinkle with half of spice mixture and half of garlic. Cook, without moving, until browned and crisp, about 5 minutes. Turn over in pieces and cook until other side is browned and crisp, about 3 minutes. Continue to cook, breaking up and stirring, until cooked through, about 2 minutes longer. Using a slotted spoon, scoop lamb over hummus.

Pour out and discard fat and wipe out skillet. Heat 1 Tbsp. oil over high. Cook squash in a single layer, undisturbed, until browned, about 4 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining spice mixture and garlic and cook, stirring, until squash is coated and cooked through, about 3 minutes. Spoon squash over lamb. Drizzle with more oil and top with herbs. Serve with pita.