Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Chickpeas, Asparagus and Arugula | www.floatingkitchen.net

Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Chickpeas, Asparagus and Arugula

Sweet potatoes are my jam. Mashed, grilled and even for breakfast, I’ll take them anyway I can get them. They are a welcome addition to any meal. And as I’ve transitioned into more of a plant-focused diet this past year, sweet potatoes have become an even more integral part of my kitchen.

So it only made sense that I would combine sweet potatoes with two of my other favorite ingredients: crispy baked chickpeas (seriously, these things are like crack) and the seasons first asparagus spears.

Oh asparagus. Nothing screams Spring like asparagus. And right now, I am definitely screaming for Spring. Because we just came off of one of the coldest weekends we’ve had all Winter. And it’s freaking MARCH you guys! I definitely thought we were out of the woods (I even folded and put away my snow pants!), but apparently we’re not. Jack Frost has extended his stay a little while longer.

Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Chickpeas, Asparagus and Arugula | www.floatingkitchen.net

So I’m mixing hearty, belly filling baked sweet potatoes with tender greens. And smothering them with a creamy vegan dressing and some spicy roasted chickpeas. The seasons are colliding – inside my kitchen and out. I think that’s what March is all about.

The sweet potatoes can take up to an hour to bake, depending on their size. But it’s a completely hands off process. So while this might not be the quickest dinner to prepare, I’d still dare to categorize it as “easy”. I also think this would be delicious with some roasted broccolini in lieu of the asparagus, if you happen to have that on hand.

Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Chickpeas, Asparagus and Arugula | www.floatingkitchen.net

I’m sharing the recipe for these Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Chickpeas, Asparagus and Arugula as part of our monthly round-up organized by Becky from Vintage Mixer. March can be a tricky month if you’re like me and live somewhere where you’re still stuck in a mix of seasons. So I hope you can find some cooking inspiration from Becky’s March Produce Guide, as well as from the recipes that some of my blogging friends have created (links below!) that highlight this month’s fruits and vegetables. And be sure to let us know ways in which you’re using March produce by using the hashtag #eatseasonal on social media!

Cheers,

Liz

Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Chickpeas, Asparagus and Arugula

Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Chickpeas, Asparagus and Arugula

At a Glance:
Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

For the Sweet Potatoes:

  • 4 medium-large sweet potatoes, washed and scrubbed
  • 1 cup loosely packed arugula

For the Chickpeas:

  • 1 (16 ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. cumin
  • 1/2 tsp. chili powder

For the Asparagus:

  • 1/2 lb asparagus spears, trimmed
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper

For the Dressing:

  • 2 tablespoons tahini paste
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 tsp. maple syrup
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. black pepper

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Prick the sweet potatoes all over with a fork and then place them on your baking sheet. Transfer them to your pre-heated oven to bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are soft enough to be easily pierced with a small pairing knife. Remove from the oven and set aside, covering to keep warm.
  3. Meanwhile, spread the chickpeas out onto a paper towel. Then use a second piece of paper towel to pat the tops dry. Transfer the dried chickpeas to a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with the olive oil, tossing to coat. Then sprinkle with the salt, cumin and chili powder. Transfer the baking sheet to your pre-heated oven and roast the chickpeas for 20 minutes, stirring them once half way through cooking time. Remove from the oven and set aside.
  4. Meanwhile, toss the asparagus on a rimmed baking sheet with the olive oil, salt and black pepper. Transfer to your pre-heated oven and roast for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
  5. To make the dressing, add all of the ingredients in a small bowl or jar. Mix until well combined and smooth.
  6. To serve, slice the sweet potatoes open, being careful not to cut them completely in half (you want the bottom to remain intact), and gently pry them apart to create space in the center. Drizzle about 1 tablespoon of the dressing inside each of the sweet potatoes. Then stuff with the arugula, asparagus and chickpeas, diving the ingredients evenly between the sweet potatoes. Drizzle with the remaining dressing. Serve immediately.

Notes

Recipe inspired by How Sweet It Is.

March Eat Seasonal Recipes

Creamy Vegan Kiwi Lime Avocado Pie by Letty’s Kitchen

Chana Aloo Gobi Masala: Chickpea, Potato, and Cauliflower Curry by Food for My Family

Spicy Lemon-Ginger Tonic Tea by Suitcase Foodist

Broccoli Rabe and Chicken Pizza with Basil Cream Sauce by Vintage Mixer

Hot Chili Blistered Asparagus with Sriracha Aioli by Kitchen Confidante

Glazed Meyer Lemon Bundt Cake with Candied Lemons by Simple Bites

Frozen Chocolate-Dipped Kiwi with Sea Salt by Project Domestication

Tempura Cauliflower with Spiced Yogurt Dipping Sauce by Completely Delicious

Easy Lemon Thyme Roasted Artichokes by Flavor the Moments

Healthy Shamrock Shake by Joy Food Sunshine

Curry Roasted Cauliflower by Healthy Seasonal Recipes

Roasted Cauliflower Pasta with Lemon Chimichurri by She Likes Food

Thai Curry Cauliflower Soup by Mountain Mama Cooks

39 comments on “Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Chickpeas, Asparagus and Arugula”

  1. All my favorite ingredients Liz! Perfect for the Meatless Monday menu!

  2. Oh. My. WORD! I could definitely eat these for breakfast lunch and dinner! YUM!

  3. I want to get stuffed into these beauties!! So gorgeous!!

  4. I’m SO ready for asparagus, plus sweet potatoes are just the best right now! xo

  5. We just had a huge storm that came with an arctic blast of wind. It’s been freezing! I’m done with it and am ready to move on. I can never get enough sweet potatoes, and I love that you combined them with crispy chickpeas and asparagus! These need to be my lunch!

  6. gorgeous Liz! I have a few sweet potatoes in the cupboard and had been brainstorming about what to fill them with. And ta-da–you posted this recipe. I’m in. PS do you have a “Pinnable” image?

    • I hope you try them, Letty. And of course – just hit the “pin” button and a vertical image is there!

  7. Pretty sure I could eat these every day for the rest eternity and be blissfully happy.

  8. I love how this recipe marries the end of winter and the beginning of spring. I, too, could eat sweet potatoes and crispy garbanzo beans ALL DAY LONG! The asparagus is just starting to pop up in the markets here in Utah though I’ve yet to pick any up. Thanks for the nudge and happy spring!

    • I want so desperately for it to be Spring here, but the truth is that it just isn’t yet. So I’ll be eating cozy sweet potatoes for a little while longer!

  9. Just came here to say that your photography is out of this world, Liz. The lighting, the colors – it’s all so gorgeous!!

    • Aww…that means so much coming from you, Sarah. Because I admire your photos SO MUCH! GAH! You just made my night!

  10. Oh! This just looks so fresh and gorgeous!

  11. You just reminded me that asparagus is officially just starting to be in season… And what a great marriage with sweet-y sweet potatoes + grassy asparagus. Mmmm… Yes

  12. Daaang Liz! Us too!! It’s freezing and more snow is coming our way this weekend! OMG! For us, this is good because that snow pack in the mountains needs to stay in place.. our rivers, streams and fresh water for many rely on it through the summer and fall. It’s good for the ecosystem. This is normal for the PNW too… so I’m embracing it and putting more soup on for now. Ask me again next week – lol! I looove stuffed sweet pots and asparagus! Such a delicious combo with a crave-worthy dressing ! Gorgeous color and flavors… I can’t wait for local asparagus! Come on Spring! 😀

    • Yes, I’m definitely hoping for more rain/snow for you guys. The West Coast definitely needs a good long drink!

  13. These are so freaking pretty and I love everything about them!! Especially that tahini sauce drizzled over top 🙂

  14. oh my gawd, Liz! This is the best idea ever!! LOVE that asparagus stuffed into your sweet potato! Trying this!!!

  15. I love that these stuffed sweet potatoes are that perfect transition between winter and spring! A beautiful taste of the veggies to come!

    • Yes! Even though I wish it was Spring, I have to admit to myself that it really isn’t yet. So I’m still rocking lots of cozy ingredients in my kitchen!

  16. The seasons really are colliding! OMG. Today it went from sunny to raining to sleet in the span of an hour. Now the sun is out again. Ha ha. This recipe really hits the spot and these photos are just stunning!

    • Thanks, Katie! And yes, the weather is a bit sporadic right now. I guess that’s New England for you!

  17. I am positively dying for spring to officially be here! The second I can find good asparagus, these are being made.

  18. Thanks – really good recipe! I made them tonight and my husband and I loved them. (I just added some garlic.)

  19. Made this last week and it was delicious! Thank you for sharing the recipe 🙂

  20. I loved this recipe so much . It’s really awesome

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