Meatballs and Vegetables in Tahini Sauce

Name: Meatballs and Vegetables in Tahini Sauce (Tajen)
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Cuisine: Palestinian
Ingredients: 800 g (1 lb 12 oz) minced (ground) beef; 6 garlic cloves, crushed; A small bunch of parsley (about 20 g/½ cup), chopped; A pinch of ground cinnamon; A pinch of grated nutmeg; 3 tbsp vegetable oil; 4-5 medium tomatoes (about 500 g/1 lb 2 oz); 600 g (1 lb 5 oz) potatoes; 500 g (1 lb 2 oz) aubergines (eggplant); 500 g (1 lb 2 oz) aubergines (eggplant); 500 g (1 lb 2 oz) courgettes (zucchini); 500 g (1 lb 2 oz) courgettes (zucchini); 1 medium onion (about 100 g/3½ oz); 1 tsp salt; ¾ tsp black pepper; ¾ tsp ground allspice; 180 g (¾ cup) tahini; 60 ml (¼ cup) freshly squeezed lemon juice

Tajen

Preparation info

Serves
6-8

Difficulty
Easy
Ready in
1 hr 40

Appears in

Classic Palestinian Cuisine

By Christiane Dabdoub Nasser

Published 2026

About

This dish can feed a large family as a relatively small amount of kiftah goes a long way, and the combination of meat, vegetables and tahini makes it the epitome of balanced nutrition.

Ingredients

For the kiftah

800 g (1 lb 12 oz) minced (ground) beef
6

Asia
Palestine
Main course
Gluten-free
Low carb
High protein

Method

Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F), Gas mark 7.

Prepare the kiftah by mixing the meat, crushed garlic, chopped parsley, salt, spices and oil in a large bowl. Shape into round or oblong patties (it should make about 20 patties) and set aside.

Soak the tomatoes in boiling