Kabocha Squash, Lentil and Coconut Stew
On a whim, I bought a pretty green and silver striped Kabocha Squash the other day. I had no idea what it would look like inside or taste like, but those that know me know I am just that quirky and adventurous about foods. I just figure it out as a go along. How about you?
What I discovered is that this lovely orange fleshed squash is sweeter than butternut and easily substituted for that often used ingredient. So I roasted it (at about 350º for 30-45 minutes until soft) used about 2 1/2 cups for the recipe below and froze the remainder so it would be quick and at the ready next time inspiration hits.
This recipe is quick meal to brighten up a cold and dreary night and can be a complete vegetarian meal for your Meatless Monday or any other day. Would be great for a potluck too, the Indian inspired spices are fragrant, the heat of the red pepper gentle enough for those with low tolerances, and the coconut, cilantro with a bit of lime bring a surprising pop of flavors. I took preparation notes from a dish created by Aarti Sequiera called Indian Summer Stew: Butternut Squash, Coconut, Lentil Stew (though she uses yellow split peas not lentils in the recipe.)
Don’t miss out on trying new and different flavors, that’s part of the fun and adventure of cooking! I encourage you to let new ingredients inspire and trigger your senses.
Recipe
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup red lentils, rinsed and drained
- 1 ½ cup chopped yellow onion
- 2 ½ cups roasted kabocha squash, cubed
- 1 Roma tomato, seeded and diced
- 1 carrot, diced
- 1 granny smith apple, peeled and diced
- ½ cup dried shredded coconut (I used Bob’s Red Mill Flaked Unsweetened Coconut)
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon ground roasted cumin
- 4 cups water, vegetable or chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon whole coriander seeds
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
- 1 lime, juiced
- ½ cup minced fresh cilantro leaves
- I pre-roasted my squash and saved it in the freezer in about 2 cup batches.
- Peel and dice carrot, apple and onion.
- Cut and seed tomato, dice
- Heat olive oil in a large 4-6 qt pot over medium high, add onion, carrot and apple. Cook for 5 minutes until softened.
- Add lentils, squash to pot, sprinkle in turmeric and roasted cumin, stir to combine.
- Add carrot, onion, apple and coconut and cook with lentil mixture for about a minute, stirring occasionally.
- Cover with liquid and bring to a low boil. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, stir periodically to avoid sticking on the bottom of your pot.
- Remove cover and cook another 10 minutes.
- Temper spices in a small skillet by heating 1 tablespoon canola oil until shimmering. Add in mustard and coriander seeds to hot pan, heat until they pop. Quickly add in red pepper flakes, garlic and salt and cook briefly 10-15 seconds.
- Add hot spices and oil to stew pot and take one ladle of stew mixture back into skillet to gather all the remaining spice flavors (this will sizzle and spit, but that’s ok) Re-incorporate back into the stew mixture, stir to blend. Remove from heat.
- Stir in cilantro, reserve extra for sprinkling on top.
- Serve in bowls with a squirt of lime juice and a tiny drizzle of honey
Links
Aarti Sequeira, Indian Summer Stew
I’m exactly the same, love buying new foods and experimenting with them. I can almost taste and smell this stew just by looking at the pictures, so good. Bookmarked it and will definitely try this myself:)
That does make our food adventures so much fun doesn’t it Denise! I hope you enjoy the dish at your home and it brings a beautiful smile. Cheers!
I love the first image Robin. I like it when one simply dares to buy something never tried before and I love it when the recipe they use it for works so well. Not many people look beyond their comfort boxes. One of the things I love about you. You just do it :o)
Hugs
xox
Aw, thanks Meeta!
Aaaah, kabocha! I’d never seen it till I moved to England (S Africa is big on ENORMOUS pumpkins and burtternut) – but now I love it! The texture is less watery than other squashes and I love that vibrant flesh. The curry sounds gorgeous – I sometimes do an “everything in the fridge must go” Thai vegetable curry that reminds me of this. Love the new banner BTW!
I love trying out new ingredients. Every time I come upon something that looks unfamiliar I tend to take it home, even if I don’t have a clue what it is… I once brought home something so weird and rare that it took me a long time to figure out what it was. Lol. But that’s is indeed part of the fun for me of cooking: discovering new ingredients or new uses for old ingredients. Kabocha is not a type very commonly found here. We have the butternut squash and a regular orange pumpkin and that’s usually as far as it goes. But the dish looks lovely!
Sounds delish.
I go weak at the knees for lentils and winter squash! What a great idea to add lime, cilantro, and shredded coconut.
Warmly,
Miachel
Well then Miachel, you will have to be careful when you prepare this one! Maybe a stool at the kitchen counter, this is that good! Thank you so much for your visit and comment!
Found this recipe when looking for something to do with the second half of my kabocha. This was amazing! Such great layers of flavor. I followed the recipe exactly and we will be making this again and again. I wasn’t sure at which step to add the tomato and coconut, so I added it along with the squash…turned out great. Thanks for a great recipe!
Thanks for the terrific feedback! You were right to trust your instincts and I made the clarification in the directions. I am so pleased you gave this a try Jen.
I also didn’t see where to add the tomato, and didn’t add it till late in the cooking process. Was still amazing!
I used the yellow split peas, had to substitute caraway seeds for coriander, but the best part? I used half cilantro/half carrot tops from some gorgeous carrots in my CSA box today.
Love this recipe, thank you! Will definitely make it again and again!
Great call Holly. I added the tomatoes the last 10 minutes of cooking so they retain a bit of their shape and texture.
Thanks for commenting.
Cheers,
Robin