Spicy Butternut Squash, Goat Cheese and Lentil Salad

Hubby and I have been on a big lentil kick. They’re so easy to make, great for you, and delicious. I saw this salad recently on Smitten Kitchen and knew I needed to make it this week. I used the lentils I had on hand, so I didn’t get the pretty black and orange salad that Deb got, but that’s ok, it’s still pretty freaking awesome.

Hubby and I really enjoyed this salad. It’s very hearty and filling. We ate it for a midafternoon snack and almost didn’t need dinner that night. I’ve written the recipe as I made it below, be sure to click through to Smitten Kitchen to get the original recipe.

This is unfortunately one of those dishes that is difficult to get a great photo of… But it’s really good so I had to post about it. Don’t hate on lentils just because they’re not pretty!

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Spicy Butternut Squash, Goat Cheese, and Lentil Salad

Yield: 3-6

Ingredients:

3/4 cup black or green lentils
6 cups peeled, seeded and cubed butternut squash or sugar pumpkin (1-inch cubes)
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1 cup soft crumbled goat cheese
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, plus additional to taste
~1/2 cup toasted pumpkin seeds

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss squash with 2 tablespoons oil, cumin, paprika and salt. Arrange in a single layer on baking sheet and roast 20 minutes. Flip pieces and roast for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until tender. Cool.

Meanwhile, soak lentils for 10 minutes in a small bowl, then drain. Cook lentils in boiling salted water until tender but firm, about 30 minutes. Rinse with cold water, then drain and cool.

Combine lentils, squash, half of goat cheese, vinegar, and 1 tablespoon oil. Season with salt and pepper and extra vinegar, if desired. Serve with remaining goat cheese to sprinkle.

Recipe adapted from Smitten Kitchen, originally from Bon Appetit


Boston area readers, don’t forget that I’m selling pies for Pie In the Sky. The cost of your pie will feed someone in need for an entire week! Please consider buying a pie for a good cause.

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11 Responses to “Caramelized Butternut Squash”

  1. #
    1
    Pam — November 15, 2010 at 12:52 pm

    I have been loving Butternut Squash more than ever this season, myself! Your pictures are lovely, and making me hungry!

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    2
    Lauren — November 15, 2010 at 1:01 pm

    I LOVE butternut squash… especially when roasted until slightly crisp on the outside. Your caramelized version looks great – I will need to add a touch of brown sugar and butter next time I make it.

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    3
    Boston Food Diary — November 15, 2010 at 3:45 pm

    YUM!!! I started my butternut squash kick this weekend- this looks amazing!

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    4
    Melissa — November 15, 2010 at 3:55 pm

    I have a butternut squash from my CSA that I’m dying to cut into. I have a question though, how does one peel a butternut squash?

  5. #
    5
    Jen — November 15, 2010 at 3:57 pm

    Melissa – I like to use a Y-shaped vegetable peeler to peel the skin off. You could do it with a knife, but I would be worried about cutting myself.

  6. #
    6
    Julie — November 15, 2010 at 4:10 pm

    Sounds like a fabulous way to prepare those squash. I’ll have to remember this for if we have another bumper crop next year!

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    7
    Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic — November 15, 2010 at 4:23 pm

    Hi Jen, nice seeing you again yesterday. I usually roast my butternut squash with brown sugar too but I can’t believe I never thought of adding butter! I usually omit the salt and pepper because I like it very dessert-like, so I add cinnamon too 🙂

  8. #
    8
    Paula — November 15, 2010 at 5:41 pm

    what a great blog!
    here is so many inspirations,

    have a nice time,
    Paula

  9. #
    9
    Megan — November 16, 2010 at 12:49 am

    I love butternut squash too. It’s definitely delicious with just a bit of brown sugar. Sometimes I go a bit overboard and roast it with a whole lot of butter, brown, sugar, and maple syrup.

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    10
    theblogisthenewblack — November 16, 2010 at 2:46 am

    This looks amazing! I love bn squash. I just made a fantastic soup, and now I want to carmelize it!

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    11
    Fun and Fearless in Beantown — November 19, 2010 at 5:29 pm

    This is such a simple way to cook butternut squash and yet SO delicious! I’m loving your butternut squash blog posts!

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