Sweet And Spicy Roasted Kabocha Recipes

SWEET-AND-SPICY ROASTED TOFU AND SQUASH

Steps:

• Drain tofu and slice into 1/2-inch-thick slabs. Cut each slab in half. Arrange tofu on a large baking sheet or several plates lined with several layers of paper towels. Place another layer of paper towels on top and weigh down tofu with another baking sheet or more plates topped with a heavy cookbook or cans. Let stand for 20 minutes. Pat tofu dry.
• While tofu drains, heat oven to 425 degrees. Cut squash into 1/2-inch-thick half-moons. Cut each slice in half again.
• In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sriracha and a pinch of salt. Whisk in peanut oil. Spoon 3 tablespoons of the mixture into a separate bowl and reserve. Whisk honey into the original mixture. Spread squash out on a large baking sheet and pour honey-soy mixture over it. Sprinkle squash lightly with salt and pepper and toss well. Roast until bottoms are golden brown, about 20 minutes. Flip and roast until uniformly golden and soft, about 10 minutes more. Transfer squash to a large bowl.
• Adjust the heat to broil and position a rack just below the heating element. Toss tofu with reserved soy mixture and arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet (you can use the same one you used for the squash). Cook until crispy and golden, about 2 minutes per side. Toss hot tofu with squash, sesame seeds and celery leaves, adding more soy sauce if you like.

ROASTED KABOCHA SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425°F and warm the squash (whole) in the oven for 10 minutes, so that it's easier to slice.
• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Slice the squash in half lengthwise, scoop out the ribbing and seeds, and then slice into 1½-inch slices. Divide the slices among the baking sheets, drizzle with the olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and roast for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and tender. (Note: the skin should be tender and it's edible too.)
• Arrange the roasted squash on a shallow platter. Drizzle with the dressing, and sprinkle with the scallions, sesame seeds, and microgreens. Season to taste with more salt and pepper and serve.

MAPLE-ROASTED KABOCHA SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment.
• Whisk together the brown sugar, maple syrup, butter, chili powder, cayenne and 2 teaspoons salt in a large bowl to combine.
• Cut the squash in half and trim and discard both ends. Using a spoon, remove the seeds and discard. Place the squash cut-side down and slice crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick wedges.
• Toss the squash with the maple syrup mixture to coat evenly. Arrange the squash in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets, reserving the excess maple syrup mixture. Roast, flipping the squash and rotating the baking sheets top to bottom halfway through, until golden brown and tender, 24 to 26 minutes. While still hot, loosen the squash with a metal spatula from the baking sheets and flip to avoid sticking. Brush the squash with the reserved maple syrup mixture and transfer to a serving dish. Serve warm or at room temperature.

ROASTED KABOCHA HUMMUS WITH SPICY CRUNCHY SEEDS

Steps:

• For the squash: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Remove the skin from the squash and cut open down the middle. Scoop out the seeds and reserve for later. Cut each half into eighths. Spread out on a roasting pan and drizzle lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• For the spicy seeds: Pour the pepitas on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. In a small bowl, combine the granulated garlic, paprika, cayenne and cumin. Mix well and sprinkle over the pepitas. Season with salt and pepper.
• Place both the squash and seeds in the oven. Roast the squash until tender and caramelized around the edges, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove and allow to cool. Roast the seeds until toasted and crunchy, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove and allow to cool on the baking sheet so they get extra crispy.
• For the hummus: In a blender, combine the chickpeas with an equal amount (by volume) of the roasted squash pieces. Add the tahini, olive oil, paprika, cumin and garlic. Start the blender on low, then increase the speed, using the blender tamper to push down the ingredients into the blades to get a smooth consistency without having to water down the mixture too much. If you need to, stop and scrape down the sides occasionally. Season with salt and pepper and continue to blend until you have a smooth puree. Add a little water if needed to get the mixture moving.
• Scrape out the hummus and place into a wide serving bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with paprika and fresh parsley and scatter the spicy seeds around the edge. Serve with pita chips or toast points.

SPICY AIR FRYER PORK BELLY WITH KABOCHA SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat a 6-quart air fryer to 375 degrees F.
• For the gochujang sauce: Stir together the jarred gochujang, sesame oil, mirin, soy sauce, sugar and garlic in a small bowl; set aside.
• For the pork belly and squash: Spray the kabocha squash with cooking spray and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Set aside.
• Season the pork belly with 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Place the pork belly in the basket of a 6-quart air fryer, then spray it lightly with cooking spray. Air fry until the pork belly browns and crisps on top and around the edges, about 25 minutes. Flip the pork belly over with cooking tongs and then arrange the kabocha squash around the perimeter. Cook until the pork belly is crisp all over and the squash is tender and charred, about 20 minutes. Brush the pork belly with the gochujang sauce, letting any excess run off. Cook until the sauce is slightly sticky and charred, 3 to 4 minutes more.
• Remove the pork belly onto a plate and let rest for 10 minutes (the squash can keep warm in the air fryer). Cut into 1/4- to 1/2-inch-thick slices and brush with more sauce, if desired. Sprinkle the scallion and sesame seeds over the pork belly and serve with the squash, rice and remaining sauce.

SWEET AND SPICY ROASTED KABOCHA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200°C / 400°F. Line a baking sheet or two with silicon baking liner or parchment paper. De-seed and cut the squash into slices about 1/2 cm or 1/4 inch thick. (Use a sturdy knife for cutting squash or pumpkin, on a stable surface, and be careful!) Combine all the dry ingredients. Toss the squash slices in this until coated thoroughly. Add the soy sauce and toss well again. Spread the slices in a singler layer on the baking sheet. Drizzle over them with the oil, and optionally sprinkle more sugar on them. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, then turn over, drizzle with more oil and sprinkle more sugar, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature. Notes Toasted pumpkin seed oil (Kürbiskernöl) is a mainly Austrian speciality, though they make it here in Switzerland too. It's very nutty and dark, and is terrific in dressings and marinades. Toasted sesame seed oil or walnut oil can be substituted, or even expensive argan oil. Instead of cinnamon, nutmeg and cumin, you can use a 'pumpkin pie seasoning' mix (or if you are in the Germanic parts of the world, a Lebkuchen mix would do too.)