Moroccan-Style Spiced Winter Squash Stew
Author: Nancy Baggett
Ingredients
  • About 1¼ pounds winter squash (butternut, fairytale, acorn or other similar squash)
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 cup peeled, chopped onion
  • 1 teaspoon each ground coriander and ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon each ground turmeric and ground cumin
  • Pinch hot red pepper flakes or more to taste
  • 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes including juice (plain or seasoned with green chiles)
  • ⅓ cup seedless golden or brown raisins
  • ¼ teaspoon salt, or more to taste
  • 1 15.5 ounce can garbanzo beans, rinsed well and drained
  • Fresh lemon wedges and fresh chopped coriander leaves for serving, plus chopped preserved lemons and pumpkin seeds, optional
Instructions
  1. Cut the squash into 3 or 4 large chunks.
  2. Place slightly separated on a microwave safe plate.
  3. Top with a microwave cover or wax paper.
  4. Microwave on high power, stopping and testing in the thickest parts with a fork at 5 minutes and then 1 minute intervals until the flesh is just barely soft enough to cut into cubes.
  5. Set aside until cool, then peel away the skin and cut the flesh into 1-inch cubes.
  6. You should have 3½ to 4 cups; reserve any extra for another purpose.
  7. Heat the olive oil and onion in a deep 12- or 13-inch skillet over medium heat, stirring.
  8. Cook the onion, stirring, about 4 minutes or until lightly browned.
  9. Add the squash, coriander, ginger, turmeric, cumin and red pepper, stirring until the squash cubes are coated with the spices.
  10. Stir in the tomatoes, raisins and garbano beans.
  11. Adjust the heat so the mixture boils gently and cook, uncovered, until the squash pieces are just tender and the liquid has boiled down.
  12. Taste and add salt, then serve; or store refrigerated in a non-reactive container and reheat at serving time.
  13. Provide lemon wedges and chopped coriander leaves so diners can garnish their servings as desired.
  14. Offer pumpkin seeds and preserved lemon also, if desired.
Recipe by KitchenLane at http://kitchenlane.com/2013/11/the-real-first-thanksgiving-celebration.html