Butternut squash with spiced lentils & feta

Butternut squash with spiced lentils & feta

There's no need to peel the tough outer skin from the squash for this great-looking dish

Difficulty and servings

Easy

Serves 6

Preparation and cooking times

Total time

Ready in 1 hour 30 minutes

Vegetarian

Vegetarian

Method

  1. Heat the oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Wash the butternut squash and carefully cut it in half lengthways. Using a spoon, scoop out the seeds and fibrous centre and discard. Put the squash halves on a baking tray cut- side up, drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, season and roast in a hot oven for approx 35 minutes or until the flesh is tender. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.
  2. While the squash is cooking, simmer the lentils for about 30 minutes, until al dente, and drain. (You could use 300g pre-cooked lentils, or cook the lentils ahead of time).
  3. When the squash is cool enough to handle scoop out some flesh, leaving a border of 1cm, then roughly chop the flesh and put it in a bowl. (This can be done in advance).
  4. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large frying pan, add the onions and garlic and cook until beginning to caramelise, about 10 minutes. Add the spices and cook for two minutes more. Add the lentils, reserved squash and 300ml of hot water and simmer for 8 minutes (until most of the water has been absorbed). Remove from the heat and stir through the feta, pine nuts, herbs and lemon juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Again the filling could be made ahead of time and the squash re-heated as required).
  5. Spoon the mixture equally between squash halves and cook in the oven for 10-15 minutes. Serve sprinkled with pomegranate seeds and the tahini yoghurt.
Try

Microwaving

You can microwave squash, Simply halve it, scoop out the seeds, then put the halves, covered, in a microwave for 8-10 minutes or until tender.

Per serving

448 kcalories, protein 18.3g, carbohydrate 42.9g, fat 23.8 g, saturated fat 6.6g, fibre 7.6g, salt 1.06 g

Recipe from olive magazine, February 2009.

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Latest comments and suggestions

Results 21-22

  • 09 December 2012

    Fiona Duncan rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I love this recipe! I never really stick to the exact recipe just the overall idea of it. I have added both leeks and courgette on occassion for some variety. I have also used both dried and canned lentils and find both work well. For those who can't be bothered with the pomegranate, I agree it is not essential but would urge people to give it a go! This gives an everyday dish a real lift and I always add it if feeding friends. Enjoy!

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  • 04 March 2013

    Miss Smith rated and commented on this recipe

    3 stars

    I liked the combination of squash, lentils, feta and spices but overall I felt it was lacking something and was a bit disappointed. I didn't use yoghurt or seeds. I'd happily make this for vegetarian friends and get their opinion but I'd want to add some pancetta or bacon next time. The yoghurt might also help.

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Difficulty and servings

Easy

Serves 6

Preparation and cooking times

Total time

Ready in 1 hour 30 minutes

Vegetarian

Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 3 small butternut squash , about 600g each
  • olive oil
  • 150g Puy lentils
  • 3 onions , peeled, halved and thinly sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves peeled and finely chopped
  • 3 tsp cumin seeds
  • 3 tsp ground cumin
  • 3 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1½ tsp sweet paprika
  • a pinch cayenne pepper
  • 225g feta cheese , crumbled
  • 60g pine nuts
  • 3 tbsp chopped mint
  • 3 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 lemon , juiced
  • seeds from ½ pomegranate
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Per serving

448 kcalories, protein 18.3g, carbohydrate 42.9g, fat 23.8 g, saturated fat 6.6g, fibre 7.6g, salt 1.06 g

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