TRADITIONAL BERBER TAGINE

Scattered across North Africa in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Mali, Niger, and Mauritania live the Berbers, indigenous people who have existed since before recorded history. It's believed the Berbers descended from people who lived in the region since the Neolithic age. Although the Berbers have dwelled in the mountains and desert for thousands of years, historians have no idea where they originated. A roaming people, many Berbers call themselves imazighen, or "men of the land." Traditionally their cuisine was quite simple, based on corn, barley, sheep's milk, honey, goat cheese, and game meat. Tagines, named for the traditional clay pot used to make this dish, are slow-cooked stews made from spiced meat and vegetables. Although this dish came from the Berbers, it became a popular staple across northern Africa. This filling recipe features chickpeas, one of the best plant-based protein sources (next to black beans and lentils) and filled with fiber, which is essential for a healthy digestive tract and happy gut. It also includes butternut squash, which is loaded with vitamin A, good for cell growth, vision, and supporting a healthy immune system.