Caribbean-Style Black Bean & Delicata Squash

Caribbean-Style Black Bean & Delicata Squash

As the fresh sweet tastes of summer produce recede each year, I rediscover the delights of winter squashes. Long-lasting and loaded with a big helping of vitamins and minerals, winter squashes are an extraordinarily versatile and flavorful staple in the cold-weather kitchen.

Although each variety has its own appeal, the long and slender pale yellow gourd known as the sweet potato or delicata squash tops my list for its ease of use and tender sweet flavor. Easy to peel and seed, and with very little loose or stringy flesh to scoop out, the scooped-out halves also make an attractive and perfect-sized serving dish — as with this Caribbean-style bean and squash recipe dressed up with peanut butter, banana and spices.

Caribbean-Style Black Bean & Delicata Squash


Caribbean-Style Black Bean & Delicata SquashCaribbean-Style Black Bean & Delicata Squash
Recipe by
Cuisine: Caribbean
Published on December 22, 2009

Caribbean-style black bean and sweet potato squash with peanut butter, banana and spices served in squash shells

Preparation: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour

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Ingredients:
  • 1 cup dried black beans (3 cups cooked or 2 14 oz cans)
  • 2 delicata (sweet potato) squashes, halved and seeded
  • olive oil
  • sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 banana
  • 3 tablespoons peanut butter
  • 2 jalapeƱos, seeded and diced
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried red chili flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
  • juice of 1 lime (2 tablespoons)
  • handful of fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
Instructions:
  • Rinse the dried beans under running water and soak overnight covered in several inches of water. Drain and rinse, then transfer to a medium saucepan. Cover with several inches of fresh water and bring to a boil. Immediately reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until the beans are tender. Drain and mash lightly with a potato masher. Set aside.

  • Preheat an oven to 350°F. Place the squash halves cut side up on a baking sheet. Drizzle the squash with olive oil, and season with salt and fresh ground black pepper. Bake in the oven until the flesh is tender when pierced with a knife or fork, about 1 hour. Remove the squash halves from the oven and gently scoop out the flesh without breaking the skins of the squashes. Wipe the sides of the squash halves and set aside.

  • Place the squash in a bowl with the banana and mash with a potato masher. Stir in the peanut butter, jalapeƱo, chili flakes, salt, cayenne, nutmeg, cloves and lime juice.

  • Now stir in the beans and scoop the mixture evenly between the squash halves. Garnish with parsley or cilantro, and serve warm.

Makes 4 servings

Caribbean-Style Black Bean & Delicata Squash

Other winter squash recipes you may enjoy:
Red Bean and Squash Soup
Sweet Potato Squash Soup with Pinto Beans and Chard
Butternut Squash Sambar

On the top of the reading stack:
The Appointment: A Novel by Herta Muller

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21 comments:

Simi Tresa Antony said...

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Tresa
Owner Of http://www.4yourtastebuds.com/
email:4yourtastebuds@gmail.com

Indhu said...

adding banana in a savory dish is totally new to me... :)

Soma Pradhan said...

This is really interesting

Priya Suresh said...

QUite a delicious and interesting dish..

Johanna GGG said...

peanut butter and banana is great on toast so I imagine I would love it in a stuffed squash - hope you are doing well and have a great christmas

Joanne said...

I am winter squash obsessed! Delicatas are quite fabulous especially with the delicious filling you've featured here!

Choclette said...

Oh yum, I love winter squash. Have never tried it with either peanut butter or banana - sounds interesting. Sadly our crop of squashes was a dismal failure this year.

Ricki said...

The banana and PB in the squash are such an intriguing idea! I'm sure I'd love this and will bookmark it for when I'm back on bananas :)

Hope you have a wonderful holiday season, Lisa, and all the best in the new year!

Soma said...

dear Lisa

Happy Holidays & Happy New year to you and your loved ones.

Ivy said...

Merry Christmas and Happy holidays. Happy New year with good health to you and your family.

Unknown said...

Interesting recipe Lisa never use this squash .... Merry cristmas to you and your family

Cynthia said...

Happy Holidays!

Sarah S. said...

This really sounds amazing. I hope it is not too late to pick up some more delicatas, I really haven't had my fill yet this year.

Anonymous said...

Happy holidays, darling!

cookeaze said...

Gorgeous presentation!I can't wait til tomorrow to prepare this.Wondeful happy new year!

TBC said...

Lisa,
A very happy 2010 to you and your family!

Alessandra said...

Hi, first time here, beautiful recipes!

eatme_delicious said...

Yum this looks like a great winter meal! I've never tried delicata squash. Interesting that you call delicata squash sweet potato!

carlos said...

Delicious!
This is one of my favorite dish

valentines day gifts said...

Wow! Looks so yummy!! I would like to try it. Thanks for this recipe.

Spice Rack said...

A fresh, sweet, delicious and healthy dish mixed with spices are perfect for a dinner in the beach.