Asian-Spiced Kabocha Squash

Like most other winter squashes, kabocha is a bear to cut, but, on the bright side, no peeling is required! The skin offers a pleasant and unique texture to the dish. For efficiency, I cut up all of the kabocha at once, and store any leftovers in baggies to use or freeze at my convenience.

This recipe offers a wonderful side dish (or breakfast, as I like to eat it) that is slightly sweet and spicy, and is a breeze to cook up. From start to finish, I had the kabocha ready in 20 minutes, and that was with minimal monitoring required. It was definitely a nice change from my usual roasting or steaming techniques with squash. Recipe and photo contributed by Alisa Fleming, from Alisa Cooks.

Serves: 2 to 3

• ¾ pound kabocha squash, cut to about 1-inch in size, skin on)
• ⅓ cup water, plus additional if needed
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce or wheat-free tamari (for gluten-free)
• 1 ½ tablespoons evaporated cane juice, brown sugar, or granulated palm sugar
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced (feel free to use more if you like your ginger)
• ⅜ teaspoon Chinese 5-spice powder (available in the spice section of most grocers)

Place all ingredients in a skillet and heat to boiling. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and let it simmer for 10 minutes.

Remove the lid and continue to cook (stirring occasionally) until the liquid is pretty much gone / thickened, and the squash (and peel) is nice and tender. This takes me about 5 minutes, but if the liquid evaporates and your squash isn’t yet done to your liking, add more water 1 tablespoon at a time, and continue to cook, stirring occasionally. Serve.

Note: I have been devouring the entire batch within a day, but if you do put the leftovers in the refrigerator, the flavors seep in nicely and offer more of an infused flavor the next day. Feel free to enjoy it cold or warmed.

• Here are lots more winter squash recipes.

Alisa Fleming is the author of Go Dairy Free.* Visit her web site, Go Dairy Free for a vast array of information and recipes.

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