Roast Squash & Lentil Salad with Ottoman Spices | Abel & Cole
Roast Squash & Lentil Salad with Ottoman Spices
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Prep: 25 mins
Cook: 50 mins
Coated in a spice mix (sumach, fennel, cumin, chilli flakes) that’s straight out of Constantinople, this roast squash salad is a winner of an autumn warmer.
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321 kcal
(per portion)
Ingredients you'll need
Recipe Ingredients Image
  • 1 onion squash
  • 1 red onion
  • 1 tsp sumach
  • 1 tsp fennel seeds
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • A pinch of dried chilli flakes
  • 1 pomegranate
  • A 400g tin of green lentils
  • 2 large handfuls of rocket
From your kitchen
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
You'll need
  • A couple of bowls
  • Baking tray
  • Pan
Step by step this way
  • 1.

    Heat your oven to 200°C/Fan 180°C/Gas 6. Halve the squash and scoop out the seeds (see our tip for what to do with them). Slice into wedges around 3cm thick. Put in a bowl.

  • 2.

    Measure out 1 tsp each of the sumach, fennel and cumin seeds. Add to the squash with a pinch of chilli flakes and 1 tbsp oil. Season. Toss the squash to coat in the oil. Spread out on a baking tray. Roast for 20 mins.

  • 3.

    While the squash roasts, peel and slice the onion into thick wedges.

  • 4.

    After 20 mins in the oven, take the squash out and scatter the onion on the tray around the wedges. Slide back into the oven and roast for 30 mins till the squash and onion are tender and a little charred.

  • 5.

    Halve the pomegranate around its middle. Hold one half in your hand, cut-side down. Whack with a wooden spoon over a bowl. The seeds should tumble out. Repeat with the other half to get all the seeds out.

  • 6.

    Drain the lentils. Rinse and tip into a pan with a few spoonfuls of water. Gently heat for 2-3 mins till warmed through. Drain well.

  • 7.

    Add the lentils and rocket to the pomegranate seeds. Season well. Toss to mix. Heap on warmed plates. Top with the roast squash. Serve straight away.

  • Tip

    Spicy seeds
    You can roast the seeds from your squash for a snack. Clean off any squash threads or flesh, then rinse and pat dry. Spread out on a baking tray. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with your leftover chilli flakes. Roast at 180°C/Fan 160°C/Gas 4 for 10-15 mins.

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