№116Condiments
Toasted Cumin Salt
A classic Moroccan street-food table condiment (Kamoun wa Melha) served alongside kebabs, fried fish, and hard-boiled eggs.
Ingredients
What you’ll need
- 2 tbsp whole cumin seeds
- 1 tbsp flaky sea salt (or Kosher salt)
Method
How it comes together
- 1
Toast the whole cumin seeds in a dry skillet over medium-low heat (300°F / 150°C) for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until highly aromatic and slightly darkened (do not burn).
- 2
Transfer the toasted seeds to a plate and let cool completely.
- 3
Coarsely crush the cumin seeds using a mortar and pestle or spice grinder (leave some seeds partially whole for texture).
- 4
Toss the crushed cumin seeds with the flaky sea salt. Store in a dry airtight container.
Accuracy note
This is a useful seasoning rather than a named canonical national condiment.
Chef’s note
Serving a tiny bowl of cumin salt alongside rich roasted lamb or boiled eggs is a vital street-food custom in Morocco.
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