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Roasted Squash Lentil Curry

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Beautiful roasted squash that tops a gently spiced curry, packed with protein.
Course Mains
Cuisine Indian
Keyword Curry, Lentils

Ingredients

  • 8 cloves garlic
  • 1 Acorn squash, sliced into 1 inch thick flowers (horizontal)
  • 2 cups red lentils
  • 1 finger sized ginger, minced or small chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped or sliced into long thick pieces
  • 1 purple onion, diced
  • 1-2 peppers of choice, diced - I like a small hot red pepper and poblano pepper (Serrano too!)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil + some for oiling acorn squash
  • 2 tbsp curry powder
  • 1/2-1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tbsp pepper + some for acorn squash
  • 1 1/2 -2 tbsp salt + some for acorn squash
  • 2 lime, juiced
  • 5 sprigs cilantro, chopped
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp mustard
  • 6 cups water
  • 1 can coconut milk
  • 2 tbsp yogurt
  • ½ cup cashews, soaked, drained and lightly toasted

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees
  • Slice acorn squash into 1 inch flowers, by cutting it horizontally
  • Lightly oil the flesh of the squash with a small amount of olive oil *
  • Sprinkle the squash flowers with a little salt and pepper
  • Lay the acorn squash flowers flat on parchment lined baking trays
  • Bake them in the oven for 40 minutes, flipping them over half way to create an even roast
  • While the squash is roasting - let’s work on the curry
  • Heat a dutch oven/large deep pot on low flame and add olive oil
  • Add onions and peppers, sauté for 2 minutes
  • Add carrots, saute for 1 minute
  • Add garlic and ginger and saute for 30-45 seconds (careful not to burn)
  • Then add curry powder, paprika, salt and pepper - saute for 30 seconds
  • Add tomato paste, mustard & lentils - saute for 30 seconds
  • Add water, coconut milk and 1 lime, juiced - stir to combine
  • Increase heat to a simmer, cover with lid, reduce heat and allow to cook until lentils and carrots are soft + cooked
  • At this point; I like to blend all ingredients with an immersion blender, until it is creamy smooth *
  • Adjust salt if necessary
  • Ladle in the curry to a bowl, top with roasted squash flowers and garnish with drizzle of yoghurt + cilantro + a lime wedge + toasted cashews

Notes

To make acorn squash flowers, simply slice the squash horizontally into about 1 inch thick slices, careful with the knife! Using a rocking motion with your knife may make the slicing easier
To oil the squash flowers, use a brush or your fingers to evenly smooth over oil onto the flesh of the squash
If you do not have an immersion blender, or do not want to blend the base of the soup - it’s not necessary to be delicious! Simply skip the blending step and continue with recipe. 
I like to roast the soaked and drained cashews on a cast iron skillet - until lightly golden
I soak my lentils overnight.
My overnight soak method is:
Place the lentils in a large bowl and cover with water by 2 inches. Add a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to the water and allow to sit on the countertop, overnight. After 8-12 hours; drain and rinse them well before using them in the recipe