Bengali Butternut Squash Recipes

BENGALI-SPICED SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas 6.
• Cut the kabocha or butternut squashes into long wedges (I sliced the upper part of the butternut squash and halved the slices) and remove the peel, seeds and fibres from each piece.
• Heat the sunflower oil in a large frying pan. Add the onion wedges, garlic, chilli and ginger to the pan and cook over a low heat for 5 minutes, stirring now and then, until the onions are just tender.
• Add the spices and cook for a few seconds more.
• Add the pieces of butternut squash and toss everything together until well coated in the spicy mixture.
• Put the squash into a roasting tin and roast it for 35-40 minutes, or until the squash is tender and lightly browned around the edges.
• This is delicious served together with roasted chicken and mint raita, made from chopped fresh mint into natural yogurt.

BENGALI BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND CHICKPEAS GARBANZOS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large non-stick pan over a medium heat. Add bay leaf, panch phoran and chillies and fry for 1-2 minutes, stirring well to combine.
• Add the onion, stir to coat in the spices, and fry for 4 minutes, or until softened and golden-brown.
• Add the ground turmeric, cumin and coriander, the salt, sugar and ginger and stir well. Add a 1/2 of water, stir and cook for a further 1-2 minutes.
• Add the butternut squash pieces and 1/2 - 1 cup boiling water. Bring the mixture to the boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pan with a lid and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the butternut squash is tender.
• Add the chickpeas, ground garam masala and fennel seeds and another splash of water if necessary to keep the mixture loose. Add more salt and sugar, if you like, to taste. Stir well and continue to cook for 1-2 minutes, or until warmed through. Serve immediately.

BUTTERNUT AND ACORN SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place the squash halves cut side down in a baking dish. Bake 45 minutes, or until tender. Remove from heat, and cool slightly. Scoop the pulp from the skins. Discard skins.
• Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat, and saute the onion until tender.
• In a blender or food processor, blend the squash pulp, onion, broth, brown sugar, cream cheese, pepper, and cinnamon until smooth. This may be done in several batches.
• Transfer the soup to a pot over medium heat, and cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Garnish with parsley, and serve warm.