Cozy Lentil Soup With Delicata Squash Recipes

COZY LENTIL SOUP WITH DELICATA SQUASH

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or heavy soup pot over medium heat. Add onion and a pinch of salt and saute until translucent, about 4 mnutes. Add carrots, celery, squash and another pinch of salt and saute until all vegetables are just tender, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in curry powder, cumin, turmeric, coriander, cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoons of salt and red pepper flakes. Add lentils and stir to coat. Pour in 1/2 cup of broth to deglaze the pot, stirring to loosen any bits stuck to the bottom and cook until liquid is reduced by half. Add remaining broth. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Decrease heat to low. Cover and simmer until lentils are tender, about 20 to 25 minutes.
• Taste and adjust salt, if needed. Stir in kale and cook until tender, about 3 minutes.
• VARIATIONS: Substitute fennel for the celery to add more depth to the flavor. If you have trouble finding delicata squash, use its cousin, butternut squash.

STUFFED DELICATA SQUASH WITH LENTILS AND CASHEW RAITA

Steps:

• Place the cashew pieces in a bowl and cover with cool water. Cover and place in the fridge to soak for four hours.
• Thoroughly drain the soaked cashews and combine with the chopped mint, lemon juice, water and salt in a blender. Purée, pausing to scrape down the sides of the canister with a spatula as needed, until completely silky-smooth. This process may take longer if you use a lower-powered blender, but stick with it; that creamy texture is important. Stir in the cucumber pieces by hand. Store in an air-tight container and keep refrigerated prior to serving.
• For the filling, heat olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat before adding the shallots and jalapeno. Cook until translucent, then add the cumin and mustard seeds. Cook until the entire mixture is highly aromatic, about a minute. Add the lentils and broth and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Cook for about 30 minutes, until the liquid has absorbed and lentils are tender. Add the coconut milk and vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Keep the pot partially covered and simmer for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, until the liquid has been absorbed. Cover and keep warm.
• As the lentils cook, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut both squash in half lengthwise and scoop out (but reserve) seeds. Place each half with the cut sides down on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake for about 30 minutes, or until a fork easily pierces the flesh. Remove from oven and let cool for at least 5 minutes before handling.
• Reduce oven to 250 degrees and toss the reserved seeds with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt and roast for 10 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent them from burning. Once golden and crisp, remove from oven and allow to cool.
• Flip the roasted delicata squashes up to turn them into boats and spoon the warm lentils inside. Serve the cashew raita alongside for guests to top their squashes as desired and finish with a sprinkle of roasted seeds.