Couscous with Milk Thistle (Guernina)

It is a traditional seasonal dish composed of two ingredients: couscous - an emblematic symbol of Algerian cuisine - and "Guernina", a wild plant with a sweet taste, even raw. It is also beneficial for health because it is rich in vitamins, especially vitamin C, magnesium and potassium. It is found in abundance in North Africa and the Mediterranean basin, especially at the end of winter and spring. Algerian families, especially in the Central and Eastern regions, celebrate spring by preparing this dish.

The Guernina, once cleaned of its thorns and cut, is first steamed, then added to a couscous sauce composed of onions, chickpeas, spices, and sometimes meat (fresh or dried). The couscous, steamed and drizzled with olive oil, is then topped with this fragrant sauce.