Guinean Peanut Sauce with Butternut Squash |
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Prep Time: 25 Minutes Cook Time: 55 Minutes |
Ready In: 80 Minutes Servings: 6 |
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This peanut butter and butternut squash recipe is from the village of Cansamange in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. I learned it while I was in the Peace Corps; it quickly became my favorite dish! The authentic West African preparation requires squishing this by hand until the mixture is fairly uniform - a food processor also works. Serve over medium-grained rice. Okra sauce (folere) is a traditional accompaniment. Ingredients:
1 butternut squash - peeled, seeded, and cut into 2-inch cubes |
1/2 cup natural peanut butter |
1 small tomato, chopped |
1 cup warm water |
2 tablespoons olive oil |
1 large yellow onion, thickly sliced lengthwise |
2 cloves garlic, minced |
1 bay leaf |
ground black pepper to taste |
salt, or to taste |
2 teaspoons lemon juice |
Directions:
1. Place the butternut squash in a saucepan with water to cover. Bring to a boil and then simmer, covered, until the squash is tender, about 20 minutes. Drain, reserving the cooking liquid.
2. Combine the peanut butter, tomato, and warm water in a bowl. The authentic way to prepare this is to squish it together by hand -- but a food processor works, too.
3. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the onion slices and cook for 2 minutes. Add the peanut butter mixture, the minced garlic, the bay leaf, black pepper, and about 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir to combine, then bring to a boil.
4. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the peanut sauce, adding the reserved cooking liquid as needed, for 15 minutes. The consistency should be similar to a thick soup.
5. Stir in the butternut squash and simmer for an additional 15 minutes. Add the lemon juice, and taste to adjust the seasoning.
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