The handy thing about gourd-shaped butternut squash is that it can sit for ages on a cool kitchen window ledge without coming to harm. It might not be as dramatic looking as other squashes, pumpkins and gourds, but it’s tops for taste and texture, and the thin beige skin is easy to peel.

Roasting really concentrates its buttery, nutty flavour and when split lengthways, the empty seed cavity begs to be stuffed, turning it into the perfect portion-control meal for one. Usefully, the roasting can be done while the stuffing is being made or it could be done 24 hours in advance, then popped into a hot oven for ten minutes.

I particularly like it with Lebanese-style minced lamb seasoned with cumin and pine kernels. But it complements most meat, Mediterranean vegetables and a wide range of flavourings. So experiment away; butternut is cheap, in season and really delicious.

Succotash is the cute name of a colourful North American vegetarian squash stew. My super-quick version almost entirely relies on cupboard ingredients with a few green beans added for their crunchy texture and contrasting grassy flavour.

Ingredients

Serves 4

Prep: 20 min
Cook: 40 min

2 butternut squash, approx 600g each
2tbsp olive oil
15g bunch thyme
1 medium onion
500g organic minced lamb
2tsp ground cumin
50g pine kernels
25g flat-leaf parsley
350g natural yoghurt
1 plump garlic clove
1tbsp lemon juice
2tbsp best olive oil

Method

Pre-heat the oven to 425F/220C/gas mark 7. Using a strong, sharp knife, halve the butternut lengthways. Scrape out and discard the seeds. Extend the cavity by cutting out chunks of squash. Don’t be too fussy about this because you want plenty of butternut to remain. Cut a lattice, about 1cm wide and deep, all over the flesh to speed up cooking. Use 2tbsp olive oil to smear the surface lavishly. Season with salt and pepper and scatter a few thyme sprigs over the top. Roast for 35 minutes or until the flesh is meltingly tender.

Meanwhile, peel, halve and chop the onion. Heat the remaining oil in a spacious frying pan and cook the onion for about 10 minutes until limp and uncoloured. Finely chop the excavated butternut. Add the mince, increase the heat slightly and cook, stirring and breaking up clumps of meat, for about 8 minutes until browned all over. Stir in the cumin and pine kernels, season with salt and pepper and cook for a couple of minutes before adding the chopped butternut. Add a cup of water, bring to the boil, reduce the heat, cover and cook for 15 minutes. Remove the lid and cook briskly until juicy but not the least bit wet or greasy, crushing the chopped butternut into the meat. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Chop the parsley leaves and any remaining thyme. Stir both into the mixture. Spoon it into the cavity and over the squash. To make the yoghurt, peel, chop and crush the garlic with a generous pinch of salt (discard the green central shoot). Beat into the yoghurt with the lemon juice and 2tbsp best olive oil. Spoon the yoghurt over the butternut and serve. This is good with a cherry tomato salad.

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