Spicy butternut squash and coconut curry

Squashes are a rich, hearty vegetables perfect for soaking up the spicy flavours of this curry, and delicious paired with jasmine rice

Spicy butternut squash and coconut curry

SERVES

4

PEOPLE

PREP TIME

10

MINUTES

COOKING TIME

20

MINUTES

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp sunflower oil

  • 1 large onion, finely chopped, 185g

  • 3 lemongrass stalks, outer leaves removed and finely sliced

  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed

  • 5 spring onions, chopped

  • grated zest and freshly squeezed juice of 2 limes

  • 2 kaffir lime leaves, shredded

  • 2 tsp coriander seeds, roasted and ground

  • 2 tsp cumin seeds, roasted and ground

  • 4cm piece of fresh ginger, peeled and grated

  • 1-3 small red chillies, deseeded and thinly sliced

  • 1 tbsp fish sauce (nam pla)

  • 1 tbsp fresh basil, torn

  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh coriander

  • 1 tbsp crunchy peanut butter

  • 1 x 400g can of coconut milk

  • ½ tsp salt

  • 2 kg squash or pumpkin, deseeded, peeled and cut into 4cm chunks (1.5kg flesh after peeling and deseeding)

  • To serve:

  • 2 tbsp toasted cashew nuts

  • fresh coriander leaves

  • jasmine rice

  • For the mango sambal:

  • 1 mango, diced finely (1 x 1 cm)

  • 2-3 tbsp red onion, finely chopped

  • 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice

  • 2 tbsp nam pla

  • 1 tsp sugar

  • 1-2 rosemary, freshly chopped

  • salt

  • freshly ground pepper

Method

  1. Gently mix all the mango sambal ingredients together in a bowl. Season and taste. Allow the flavours to blend for at least 15 minutes before serving.

  2. Preheat the oven to 200°C.

  3. Heat a sauté pan over a medium heat and add the oil. Stir-fry the onion for 1-2 minutes before adding the lemongrass and garlic. Add all the remaining ingredients. Stir gently. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the lid for 5 minutes before the end of cooking time.

  4. The coconut milk may separate but this won’t affect the flavour. Taste and add more fish sauce if necessary. Pour into a warm serving dish.

  5. Garnish with the toasted cashew nuts and fresh coriander leaves and serve with jasmine rice and mango sambal.