Roast Squash and Cashew Nut Loaf
In Brief
Prep Time : 40 minutes
Cooking Time : 60 minutes
Serves : 8
I’ve never been too keen on the traditional “Nut Roast” us vegetarians are expected to eat on christmas day. I’ve been mocked for years about missing out on the traditional Turkey and all the trimmings but now it’s my turn to fight back.
This recipe was given to me while I was in Cork and had the privilege of actually cooking it for my boss and his mother last Christmas. It really is a great recipe, the ginger and lemon really being out the flavour of the squash. I can honestly say this is the best vegetarian christmas loaf I have ever tasted and here the recipe is for you guys to try this Christmas
Shopping List
- Squash: 200g
- Cavalo Nero: 150g
- Leek: 1
- Lemon: 1/2 Juice and Zest
- Ginger: 1 Large Thumb
- Parsnip: 100g
- Onion: 1
- Garlic: 4 Cloves
- Cellery: 2 Sticks
- Roast Cashew Nuts: 250g
- Sage: 1Tbsp
- Cumin: 1Tbsp
- Cayenne Pepper: 1/4Tsp
- White Wine: 100mls
- 100g: Breadcrumbs
- Egg: 1
Cooking Instructions
Pop the squash in the oven with a coating of olive oil and sprinkling of fresh sage, salt, pepper and roast till nicely browned.
Strip the Cavalo Nero and blanch in salted water until tender but not soft, cool down and drain, chop finely and put to one side.
Roast your cashews, process and put to one side.
Grab a big pan and fry off the leek in some sunflower oil for 5 minutes. Add the ginger and roast squash and cook for two minutes more before mixing in the chopped cavalo nero. Put to one side.
Steam the parsnip, process and add to the ground cashews.
Grab another pan and cook off the onion till they are transparent then add the celery, cumin and cayenne cooking for another minute. Pour in the wine and bring it to the boil for a minute before taking off. Add the breadcrumbs, egg(Omit for a vegan version, the loaf still binds really well) and cashews, mixing well, try to aim for a moist sticky consistency, if its too dry add some more wine. Season with salt and pepper.
Line a loaf tin layering the cashews and squash mix and bake in the oven for 60 minutes till lightly browned.
Your done, best vegetarian christmas dinner to date! Unlucky turkey munchers!