Philli Armitage-mattin’s hasselback butternut squash with tahini yogurt & gremolata
This stunning veg-packed dish is a perfect alternative Christmas main. It’s gently spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, and served with a zingy citrus and herb gremolata as well as a smooth and creamy yogurt sauce, so it delivers on flavour and texture.
SERVES 6 (10-12 as a side) PREP 20 mins COOK 1 hr MORE EFFORT V
3 medium butternut squash, halved
vertically, peeled and deseeded 6 star anise
5 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ nutmeg, grated
3 tbsp light brown soft sugar 100g natural or plant-based yogurt 100g tahini
1 lemon, zested and juiced
For the gremolata
2 large handfuls of flat-leaf parsley,
leaves picked and finely chopped 1 orange, zested, plus ½ juiced 1 garlic clove, crushed
3 tbsp dried cranberries
4 tbsp pomegranate seeds
5 tbsp flaked almonds, toasted
Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan / gas 6. Working with one squash half at a time, put on a chopping board with a wooden spoon on either side. Using a large, sharp knife, cut slices along the length of the squash at 1/2cm intervals, cutting through only until you reach the spoon handles. Arrange the squash on two baking trays lined with baking parchment, cut-side down. Drop a star anise into the cavity of each half, then drizzle over 3 tbsp of the olive oil. Combine the cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar, then rub this all over the squash halves. Roast for 45 mins until soft, basting with any roasting juices after 30 mins. If the squash starts to burn, cover loosely with foil and return to the oven. Leave to cool slightly.
Meanwhile, make the gremolata. Put the parsley in small bowl and mix with the rest of the olive oil, the orange zest and juice, garlic, dried cranberries and pomegranate seeds. Set aside.
Mix the yogurt and tahini with the lemon zest and juice in a separate bowl. Season and stir in 1-4 tbsp water to loosen until it’s the consistency of double cream.
Just before serving, stir the almonds through the gremolata. Arrange the roasted squash halves on a serving platter, then top with the tahini yogurt and gremolata.
GOOD TO KNOW calcium • folate • fibre • vit c • iron • 2 of 5-a-day • gluten free
PER SERVING (6) 483 kcals • fat 27g • saturates 4g • carbs 45g • sugars 33g • fibre 9g • protein 11g • salt 0.1g