• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

FatFree Vegan Kitchen

Simply delicious oil-free vegan recipes

  • Recipe Index
    • Recipes by Category
    • Recipes by Tag
    • Recipe Box
  • About Me
    • Press
  • NewsBites
  • Shop!
  • Website

Tunisian-Inspired Chickpea and Potato Salad

November 28, 2012 By Susan Voisin 32 Comments
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Privacy Policy.

Jump to Recipe Share on Facebook

Tunisian-Inspired Chickpea and Potato Salad

Though I love the tastes of Thanksgiving–gravies and dressings cozy with the flavors of sage and thyme–once the big day is over, I feel the need to shock my palate with seasonings and spices that would have made a pilgrim flush a bright Christmas red.

So as I was thumbing through the November issue of Saveur, I was drawn to an article about North African food in Paris and to one dish in particular, Casse-Croûte Tunisien, a sandwich piled high with olives, capers, and pepperoncini peppers and drizzled with copious amounts of harissa. It looked perfect, except that the central ingredient was tuna.

I realize that I could have made exactly the same sandwich without the tuna, but what would be the fun in that? Instead, I chose to toss the ingredients together with some chickpeas to make a salad that could be eaten with or without bread. The result was a fiery salad that changes flavor with every bite.

Tunisian-Inspired Chickpea and Potato Salad

Medium-spicy harissa is the flavor that pulls it all together, and it’s the one essential ingredient. Substitutes, such as chili sauce, don’t have the same smoky flavor and may be much more spicy. You can leave out other ingredients, so if you’re not a fan of black olives or capers or just don’t have pepperoncinis handy, feel free to leave them out or substitute with something you do like.

But please don’t touch the harissa. Without it, the texture would be dry and the flavor would be drab.

If you’re not a spice lover, this really isn’t the chickpea salad for you. Please try my Vegan Chickpea “Tuna” Salad; everyone loves it. But if you’re a fire-lover like me, give this unique salad a try. It’s great on bread (try it stuffed in a pita) or atop your favorite salad greens.

Tunisian-Inspired Chickpea and Potato Salad
5 from 3 votes
Print SaveSaved! Add to Recipe BoxGo to Recipe Box

Tunisian-Inspired Chickpea and Potato Salad

Medium-spicy harissa is the flavor that pulls this salad together, and it’s the one essential ingredient. Substitutes, such as chili sauce, don’t have the same smoky flavor and may be much more spicy. You can leave out other ingredients, so if you’re not a fan of black olives or capers or just don’t have pepperoncinis handy, feel free to leave them out or substitute with something you do like.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4
Author Susan Voisin

Ingredients

  • 4 small Yukon gold potatoes (or 2 medium)
  • 15 ounces cooked chickpeas (1 can or about 1 3/4 cups), drained
  • 1 medium cucumber peeled , seeded and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 8 cherry tomatoes , quartered
  • 6-8 jumbo black olives , sliced (about 2 ounces)
  • 1/4 cup capers , rinsed and drained, chopped if large
  • 4 pepperoncini peppers , stemmed and sliced
  • 3-6 tablespoons harissa , or to taste
  • 2 tablespoons Tofu-Cashew Mayo (optional)
  • 1/2 tablespoon cider vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic , finely minced
  • 1/2 sheet sushi nori , crumbled, or 1/2 teaspoon powdered kelp (optional)
  • Salt , to taste
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

  • Boil the potatoes until tender. When cool enough to handle, peel and cut into 1/2-inch cubes. Place in a large storage container and add all remaining ingredients. Stir well and refrigerate for at least an hour to allow flavors to blend.
  • Add salt to taste and serve in pitas or other bread or with salad greens.
Nutrition Facts
Tunisian-Inspired Chickpea and Potato Salad
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 279 Calories from Fat 43
% Daily Value*
Fat 4.8g7%
Sodium 362.5mg16%
Carbohydrates 49.6g17%
Fiber 10.9g45%
Sugar 5.9g7%
Protein 12.4g25%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutritional info is approximate.

Course Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine Vegan
Have you made this recipe?Mention @SusanFFVK and tag #fatfreevegankitchen in your photos on Instagram.
Share on Facebook Share by Email

 

Tunisian-Inspired Chickpea and Potato Salad

Other Recipes Starring Harissa:

Tunisian Bean and Chickpea Stew and Tunisian Vegetable Ragout with Quinoa right here on FatFree Vegan Kitchen
Vegan Harissa Pumpkin from VegFusion
Harissa Potatoes from Herbivoracious
Harissa Roasted Butternut Squash by Katherine Martinelli
Harissa Hummus from Andrea Meyers
Fiery Red Bean Chili from Jeanette’s Healthy Living

Happy eating!
Susan

This post contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy something through them, you support my work on FatFree Vegan Recipes. Thanks for your purchase!

Filed Under: Lunches, Main Dishes, Recipes, Salads, Sandwiches Tagged With: African, Chickpea Recipes, Eat-to-Live, Gluten-free, Potato Recipes, Soy-free

Get NewsBites!

Sign up for our newsletter to receive new recipes & tips by email!

Privacy Policy
Previous Post: « Vegan Southern-Style Cornbread Dressing
Next Post: Bananas Baked in Phyllo with Date-Sweetened Chocolate Sauce »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Stephanie

    November 28, 2012 at 4:24 pm

    I have not used harissa before – when I Google it I found it comes in paste and dried.Which do you prefer?
    Thanks.

    Reply
    • Susan Voisin

      November 28, 2012 at 4:39 pm

      A paste, definitely! It’s supposed to be a sauce, not a powder.

      Reply
      • Carol

        April 20, 2017 at 4:53 pm

        Oh geez…..all I had was powder and only added two tablespoons….”almost” too spicy, but noyd!! I didn’t have any cucumber and I imagine that would give it a cooling affect! Thanks for the recipe!!

        Reply
        • Susan Voisin

          April 20, 2017 at 5:22 pm

          I’m glad it worked out! I’m interested in trying the powder.

          Reply
  2. Jeanette

    November 28, 2012 at 5:35 pm

    I need to pick up some more harissa or make my own very soon! This sounds like a great lunch – I could eat it straight up.

    Reply
  3. Laina

    November 28, 2012 at 8:58 pm

    Hi Susan,

    This is my kind of food. 🙂

    Does this recipe for the Harissa look authentic? http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipe/harissa

    Also, do you know about how many pounds of potatoes you used?

    Thanks again for your flavorful recipes!

    Laina 🙂

    Reply
    • Susan Voisin

      November 29, 2012 at 10:19 am

      Laina, the 4 small potatoes that I used weighed between 8 and 9 ounces. That recipe looks good, though I’m no expert because I’ve never made it myself. I should try! Oddly, the brand I use has beets and carrots as the first ingredients.

      Reply
  4. Ruth

    November 28, 2012 at 9:11 pm

    I love pepperoncini, but the only brand available here (Mezzetta) contains yellow dye and I recently found out I’m allergic to it. Do you (or anyone out there) know of any other brands available in the midwestern US that don’t have artificial dyes, additives or preservatives? The local grocery store owner is willing to order another brand if I can suggest one in the same price range as Mezzetta peppers (around$4-$6 for 16 oz.). And I’m rural, so as far as I know, there isn’t a Whole Foods or ethnic market (other than the Amish Coop) for at least 200 miles.

    Reply
    • Ruth

      November 28, 2012 at 9:14 pm

      And I don’t like to order anything in glass jars from the internet because they come broken about half the time.

      Reply
  5. moonwatcher

    November 28, 2012 at 10:42 pm

    Hi Susan,

    Since you know I can’t stand the heat so I have to get out of the kitchen when it comes to very spicy dishes, I’ll have to pass on actually making this one. But I certainly enjoyed it vicariously through the lovely photos. It’s a very creative combination of tastes and textures. Wonderful for the fire loving adventurers!!

    xoxo

    moonwatcher

    Reply
  6. The Vegan Cookie Fairy

    November 29, 2012 at 1:52 am

    Looks absolutely delicious! Quick question: the nutritional value as you posted here, does that include the bun? I’m guessing not but just wanted to check.

    Reply
    • Susan Voisin

      November 29, 2012 at 7:23 am

      Thanks! No, it includes only the salad ingredients, including the optional ones.

      Reply
  7. Michelle@HappyHeart

    November 29, 2012 at 6:17 am

    Love a good chickpea salad – looks amazing in the bun!

    Reply
  8. Caity @ Moi Contre La Vie

    November 29, 2012 at 10:49 am

    This looks amazing!!! I can’t wait to try this over the weekend. Yum!

    Reply
  9. Nancy Jo

    November 29, 2012 at 11:33 am

    This sounds great! Harissa is a little “exotic” — at least, we can’t buy it locally. But I make an effort to buy it when I make it to the big city, and have made it myself twice, and LOVE it!

    Reply
  10. moonwatcher

    November 29, 2012 at 2:58 pm

    Hi again,

    Just signing up so I can follow the comments!

    moonwatcher

    Reply
  11. Parinda

    November 29, 2012 at 5:05 pm

    Susan,

    I enjoy reading your recipes, and have tried a few. We are trying to get to a lower-carb diet, and some of your recipes fit the bill!

    this is the first time i’ve heard of Harissa. Do you know where i can buy it (rather than make my own)?

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Susan Voisin

      November 29, 2012 at 5:21 pm

      Try a Middle Eastern grocery store or restaurant. If they don’t have it, they may be able to tell you where to get it. I buy it at a local store, and it’s very inexpensive–about $1.50 for a 4.5 ounce can.

      Reply
  12. Bill Kranker

    November 30, 2012 at 8:50 am

    Susan,
    What about substituting chopped Bok Choy for the Nori?

    (I follow a low fat raw food diet so I do not make your recipes but I do recommend them to others who are transitioning to a vegan diet!)

    Bill

    Reply
    • Susan Voisin

      November 30, 2012 at 8:57 am

      Well, I don’t think the bok choy would add the fishy taste that nori does, but if someone likes bok choy, why not? 🙂 Thanks for recommending my recipes!

      Reply
  13. Julie

    December 1, 2012 at 9:15 am

    I made a version of this by using the spices I found for homemade harissa online and added it to the cashew-tofu mayonaisse. It was delicious. Thank you Susan for your great recipes!

    Reply
  14. jodye @ chocolate and chou fleur

    December 1, 2012 at 5:48 pm

    I am so obsessed with capers – I just love how briny they are, and the unexpected salty punch they lend dishes. This sounds like a lovely and unique potato salad, with the added bonus of protein. One bowl meal!

    Reply
  15. urbanvegan

    December 2, 2012 at 11:14 am

    Sounds and looks delicious, Susan. I am drawn to anything Mediterranean, but I think Tunisian food features the best of both European and North African cuisines. Isn’t Saveur gorgeous?

    Reply
  16. Ariana

    December 3, 2012 at 12:54 am

    This looks so delicious, i cant wait to try it!

    Reply
  17. Jackson

    December 27, 2012 at 5:16 pm

    At last! A recipe that combines all of my favorites! I love chickpeas in every form (hummus/falafel), I eat potatoes on a regular basis, and harissa and zatar are my go-to Middle Eastern/North African condiments. I’ve been trying to incorporate more tomatoes in my diet, a great source of lycopene. An article I recently read at http://www.schiffvitamins.com says cooked tomatoes have even higher percentages of lycopene. How that works out, I’m not quite sure. Could I roast the cherry tomatoes or even puree them? Also, can I increase the amount of cherry tomatoes without upsetting the balance of flavors?

    Reply
  18. Cecilia

    April 27, 2013 at 2:13 pm

    Having lived in Tunis for 3.5 years, happy to see “Tunisian” inspired food. The sandwich is well known street food – but there are also excellent Tunisian salads which are simple but delicious due to the fact that all the local produce is local, organic etc. The classics are slata Tunisian (cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, lemon – all chopped finely and fresh), slata mechouia (roasted peppers, olive oil, cumin – absolutely amazing). Their cooked carrot salad with carroway, lemon, olive oil and Harissa is also excellent (but the local carrots definately make it).

    A comment on Harissa – it is easy to make (although it takes some effort if made traditionally, with a mortar and pestle – never seen the cooked version referenced below from WF). Dried peppers, garlic (depending on the region), olive oil, spices. It’s origin Tunisian, the most widely available canned version is “Harissa le Phare du Cap Bon”, from Tunisia’s main pepper growing region. Typically served as an appetizer with olive oil, olives and the ever-present garnish in Tunisia, tuna.

    Reply
  19. cynthia

    May 5, 2013 at 6:46 pm

    susan, susan, susan! as i perused this recipe, i came across your inclusion of HARISSA. to my utter shock you used the on-the-market tube of pre-made stuff. why? harissa is by far one of the least difficult condiments to prepare at home.

    tsk tsk and tsk…
    a vegan for forty-seven years, i remain a fan, but….MAKE IT YOUR SELF ONCE AND YOU WILL LAUGH AT THE EASE OF PREPARATION.

    lots of lovely deliciousness,

    cynthia

    Reply
  20. cynthia

    November 21, 2013 at 6:33 am

    good day: i cannot believe you purchase harissa rather than preparing it your self. it is sooooooo easy.

    have a delicious day

    Reply
  21. Lisa

    January 11, 2014 at 7:27 pm

    This looks delicious…my first thought was that the finished product would be delicious tucked into phyllo pastry and baked…then maybe dipped into something delicious…Yummy.

    Reply
  22. Lucinda Gilderhus

    April 26, 2014 at 5:10 pm

    Thanks for this recipe. I made my own Harissa a couple of week ago and needed some inspiration to use it. Oh, my this is good. I can’t wait to make it for my husband. I made it on the hot side and it is definitely warm. I always tweak recipes, so I added a few tablespoon of fresh Italian parsley. Plan to serve it over a salad with lemon tahini dressing. Thank you again.

    Reply
  23. Kim Veach

    April 20, 2017 at 4:19 pm

    Are you using harissa paste or harissa seasoning (I’m not even sure if that’s a thing)?

    Reply
    • Susan Voisin

      April 20, 2017 at 4:30 pm

      The paste. 😀

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Welcome to My Kitchen!

Susan VoisinI'm Susan Voisin, and I love creating delicious whole foods plant-based dishes with no added oil. Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram.
  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Find It Fast

  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • Ridiculously Easy Recipes
  • Weight Watchers Recipes
  • Recipes by Tag (ingredient, gluten-free, etc.)
  • Complete Recipe Index

Find a Recipe

Allergens

All of my recipes are vegan, dairy-free, and fish free. To find recipes free of other allergens, click on an icon below.

Gluten FreeNut FreeSugar FreeSoy Free

Footer

Fall Favorites

Pasta Fagioli with Cranberry Beans and Kale

Pasta Fagioli with Cranberry Beans and Kale

Vegan Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Vegan Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Spaghetti Squash Pesto Lasagna

Spaghetti Squash Pesto Lasagna

Lentil Soup with Coriander and Cumin from FatFree Vegan Kitchen

Lentil Soup with Coriander and Cumin

See More Fall Favorites

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Photos, original recipes, and text © Susan Voisin. All rights reserved. Do not republish content without permission.

Nutritional information is approximate and is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate. This site has no affiliation with Weight Watchers™️ and cannot guarantee accuracy of Points™️.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Copyright © 2023 · Susan Voisin · Privacy Policy· Log in