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Roasted Kuri Squash with Fruit and Nut Topping
Serves 4
Here’s a delicious vegan dish that’s perfect for heart health and a Valentine’s dinner. Red kuri squash hails from Japan and has brilliant orange flesh. And the skin is edible too! It’s not such a struggle to cut, and the flavour almost has a buttery nutty overtone. We paired it with a filling made of powerful nutrients that will keep your cardio ticking well.
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Ingredients
- 2 1/2 lb (1.25 kg) red kuri squash
- 1 Tbsp (15 mL) extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 tsp (1 mL) sea salt
- 1/8 tsp (0.5 mL) freshly ground black pepper8
- 3/4 cup (180 mL) dry wheat berries
- 3 cups (750 mL) hot water
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) pomegranate arils
- 1/4 cup (60 mL) shelled hazelnuts, toasted and chopped
- 1/4 cup (60 mL) hemp hearts (optional)
- 1/4 cup (60 mL) finely chopped Italian parsley, plus extra sprigs for garnish
- 1/2 tsp (2 mL) Chinese five-spice powder
- Freshly squeezed juice from 1/2 orange
- 1/4 cup (60 mL) full fat plain yogurt
Nutrition
Per serving:
- calories 189
- protein 8 g
-
fat
8 g
- sat. fat 2 g
-
total carbohydrates
25 g
- sugar 9 g
- fibre 4 g
- sodium 206 mg
Directions
01
Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C).
02
Cut squash in half lengthwise and scrape out seeds. Cut each half into 2 wedges. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet, brush inside flesh with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Bake in centre of oven for 35 to 45 minutes, flipping wedges once halfway through baking, until squash is tender when pierced. Remove from oven and set aside while preparing filling.
03
While squash bakes, prepare filling. In large dry saucepan, toast wheat berries for a few minutes, stirring until they become fragrantly nutty. Add hot water, pouring in slowly as it will sputter. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and, with lid ajar, simmer berries for about 1 1/4 hours, or until tender but still firm. Drain and strain when berries are as tender as you’d like. Transfer to bowl. Add arils, hazelnuts, hemp hearts, parsley, and Chinese five-spice. Drizzle with orange juice and gently fold together to evenly blend. Add more seasonings, to taste, if you wish.
04
To serve, place 2 wedges of squash on each serving plate. Spoon filling overtop. Dollop each with 1 Tbsp (15 mL) yogurt and garnish with sprigs of parsley.
