Butternut Squash Kibbeh With Spiced Feta Food

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH LENTILS AND FETA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Pick any debris from the lentils, then rinse the lentils under running water. Transfer them to a medium saucepan, then add the cinnamon, garlic and 1 teaspoon salt.
• Add enough water to cover everything by 1 inch. Bring the water to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to low and let simmer until the lentils are tender but not mushy, about 20 minutes. Drain the lentils, discard the cinnamon and garlic, then transfer the lentils to a large bowl.
• While the lentils cook, prepare the squash: Trim and discard the top and bottom ends of the squash. Peel the squash, halve it lengthwise, and remove and discard the strings and seeds. Slice the squash crosswise 1/4-inch thick and place the pieces on a baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Roast the squash until completely tender, slightly caramelized and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, and let cool for 10 minutes. Once cool, add to the lentils.
• While the squash cooks, prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk the olive oil, pomegranate molasses, honey, cumin, cayenne and black pepper. Taste and season to taste with salt.
• Sprinkle the feta, scallions and pumpkin seeds over the lentils and squash. Pour 2 to 3 tablespoons of the dressing over the lentils and squash. Serve warm or at room temperature, with the remaining dressing on the side.

ONE-SKILLET ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH SPICED CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Roast squash directly on oven rack until a paring knife poked through skin easily slides through flesh, 50-65 minutes. Let squash cool until you can handle. Trim ends, halve lengthwise, and scoop out seeds. Tear or cut squash into large pieces; discard skin (it will come off easily as you tear).
• Meanwhile, mix yogurt, grated garlic, and 1 Tbsp. lemon juice in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper.
• Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium-high. Cook chickpeas, shaking skillet often, until starting to brown and crisp, about 5 minutes. Add onion and chopped garlic and cook, stirring often, until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle in vadouvan and cook, stirring, until chickpeas and onion are coated and mixture is fragrant, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to a medium bowl. Wipe out skillet.
• Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in same skillet over medium-high. Cook squash pieces, cut side down, undisturbed, until browned and caramelized, about 5 minutes. Turn pieces over, remove from heat, and season with salt and pepper. Spoon chickpea mixture over squash, then dollop reserved lemon-garlic yogurt around.
• Toss radishes, herbs, and pomegranate seeds, if using, with remaining 1 Tbsp. lemon juice in a small bowl; drizzle with a splash of oil and season with salt and pepper. Scatter over squash and chickpeas. Finish with a grind or two of pepper.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH KIBBEH WITH SPICED FETA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cut the squash in half lengthwise, scrape out the seeds and bake, flesh side down, on a cookie sheet until tender, about 45 minutes. Let cool slightly, scrape out the flesh, then purée in a food processor until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
• Simmer the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until nut brown, about 10 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve and set aside.
• Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat and sauté the onion and pepper until tender, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Stir in the paprika and 1 teaspoon of baharat, followed by 2 cups of the squash. Bring to a simmer. Stir in the bulgur and remove from the heat. Cover tightly for 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper and stir in the brown butter.
• Stir together the feta, the remaining baharat, sumac, chilies and parsley, making the mixture as creamy as possible. Season with salt and pepper.
• Fill 8 1/2-cup ramekins each with a scant 1/2 cup of the bulgur mixture. With your fingers, compress the bulgur to form a large well in the center of each (the bulgur will creep up the sides). Fill each well with 2 heaping teaspoons of feta and use the displaced bulgur to seal in the cheese. Set the ramekins on a cookie sheet and bake until hot, about 15 minutes. Run a sharp knife around the inside of the ramekins, unmold the kibbeh and serve immediately.