Red Cooked Butternut Squash Food

BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND CHICKPEA STEW

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their juices, ras el hanout and cinnamon and cook until the tomato juices are thickened, about 3 minutes. Add the broth, apricots, squash and chickpeas and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook until the squash is tender, about 25 minutes.
• Stir in the spinach and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the mint, parsley and lemon juice. Remove the cinnamon stick and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper. Serve the stew over hot couscous or rice.

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND RED ONIONS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 475 degrees. Lightly coat two large baking sheets with olive oil.
• Peel onions, leaving root ends intact. Cut each onion in half from stem to root. Cut each half into 4 wedges, leaving the root intact so that each wedge holds together. Spread on a baking sheet, sprinkle with salt and pepper and drizzle with oil.
• Put the squash in a large mixing bowl. Add 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt and about 1/4 teaspoon pepper; toss to coat. Spread on a baking sheet, peel side down (if intact).
• Place both pans in oven and roast for 30 to 40 minutes, until the vegetables have taken on some color and are cooked through. Keep an eye on the onions, as they may cook faster than the squash and need to be removed earlier.
• If using nuts, pour 1 tablespoon oil into a small frying pan and place over medium-low heat. Add nuts and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often, until the nuts are golden brown and smell toasty. Immediately remove from the heat and dump onto a cutting board to stop the cooking. If using pistachios, chop coarsely when cool enough to handle.
• To make tahini sauce, place tahini in a bowl. Add lemon juice, 1/4 cup water, garlic and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Whisk until sauce is the consistency of honey, adding more water or a tablespoon of olive oil if necessary.
• When the vegetables are cooked, set aside until ready to serve. (The vegetables should be served the same day they are made. They can be served at warm room temperature, or reheated just before serving.)
• To serve, combine vegetables on a large serving platter. If using tahini sauce, drizzle on top. Sprinkle herbs and, if using, nuts on top and serve.