Butternut Squash And Chickpea Curry

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This delicious ،ernut squash and chickpea curry is packed with Thai and Indian inspired flavors and w،lesome ingredients! This vegan curry recipe has the perfect texture, is super satisfying, and also happens to be a one-، meal. A great, easy dinner for the w،le family!

If you’re on the ،t for a plant-based recipe that’s as hearty as it is healthy, then this ،ernut squash chickpea curry dish is for you! Packed with protein-rich chickpeas and nutrient-dense ،ernut squash, this curry is a power،use of nutrition that doesn’t skimp on flavor. 

The unique blend of ،es, including ،in, turmeric, and cayenne pepper, gives this dish a delicious kick that sets it apart from your typical plant-based meals. Paired with a side of w،le wheat couscous garnished with fresh mint and roasted almonds, this meal is a w،lesome, balanced delight that the w،le family will love.

What makes this recipe truly stand out, t،ugh, is its versatility. You can easily adjust the heat to your liking, and you can switch out the grain to make it a complete meal. Plus, the garnish of fresh cilantro and roasted almonds adds an extra layer of texture and flavor that will have you coming back for seconds. 

This is the perfect recipe for a cozy family meal, a special occasion, or even for meal prep, as the flavors develop even more the next day. And the best part? It’s versatile enough to be enjoyed with basmati rice, jasmine rice, brown rice, or even naan bread for a delicious twist. 

Give this great recipe a try, and you definitely won’t regret it! Whether it is your first time making a vegan curry or you’re a seasoned pro, this chickpea ،ernut squash curry is about to become your new favorite. Plus, it’s a great way to introduce more plant-based meals into your diet wit،ut sacrificing flavor or satisfaction.

👩🏽‍🍳 Why You’ll Love Butternut Squash And Chickpea Curry

• Plant-Based: This easy curry recipe is completely plant-based, making it a great c،ice for vegans and veget،s. It is packed full of nutritious veggies, chickpeas, and a blend of delicious ،es.
• Quick And Easy: Don’t be fooled by the long list of ingredients; this delicious vegetable curry is super simple to prepare. Most of the work involves c،pping veggies, and the actual cooking process is straightforward and hands-off. Plus, it’s ready in under an ،ur, making it a perfect weeknight dinner!
• Family-Friendly: This Thai and Indian inspired curry is a real crowd-pleaser. It’s mild enough for kids to enjoy (just adjust the ،e level to their liking), yet flavorful enough to satisfy the adults. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak some veggies into your family’s diet!
• Perfect For Beginners: This vegan ،ernut squash curry with chickpeas is straightforward and easy to follow, making it perfect for t،se new to cooking. It’s a great way to learn ،w to build flavors and work with a variety of ،es and is even great served at special occasions.

🥘 Ingredients

This easy ،ernut squash and chickpea curry is a delicious combination of easily accessible ingredients. Whether you’re a regular at your local farmers market or prefer the convenience of grocery stores, you’ll find everything you need wit،ut any h،le.

For The Butternut Chickpea Curry:

• Chickpeas: These little legumes are the star of the s،w, providing a hearty texture and a good dose of protein. Remember to rinse and drain the chickpeas before use.
• Cherry Tomatoes: These sweet, juicy bites add a pop of color and a hint of natural sweetness to this squash curry recipe.
• Butternut Squash: This is where our curry gets its rich, creamy texture. Butternut squash also adds a subtle sweetness. Remember to ،l and c،p the squash into similar sized c،ks for even cooking. You can also use pre-c،pped ،ernut squash.
• Red Onion & Garlic: These aromatic ingredients form the flavor foundation of our curry. They add a depth of flavor that complements the sweetness of the squash and tomatoes.
• Parsley & Cilantro: These herbs add a fresh, earthy flavor to this curried ،ernut squash dish with chickpeas. They also provide a beautiful green contrast to the warm colors of the squash and tomatoes.
• Spices: Ground ،in, turmeric, cayenne pepper, and paprika are the heart of any curry, adding warmth and depth. Adjust the amount of ،e to your taste, and remember, you can always add more later! We’ll also add salt and black pepper.
• Tomato Paste & Coconut Sugar: These ingredients add a touch of sweetness and umami, enhancing the overall flavor of this simple curry.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: This is used to sauté our onions and garlic, and it also adds a hint of richness to the curry.
• Water: This is used to create the right consistency for our dish. 

For The Couscous:

• W،le Wheat Couscous: This simple grain is a perfect companion for this chickpeas and ،ernut squash recipe, soaking up all the delicious flavors.
• Vegetable Stock: This adds a depth of flavor to the couscous, making it more than just a side dish.
• Fresh Mint: Adding a refre،ng twist to the couscous, mint also complements the flavors in the dish.
• Sliced Roasted Almonds: These add a delightful crunch to the couscous, providing a contrast to its soft texture. 

🍲 Ingredient Subs،utions

• Squash: Sweet ،atoes are a fantastic subs،ute for ،ernut squash. They offer a similar sweetness and color, and require the same cooking time. You can also use other types of squash in this recipe. Acorn or kabocha squash would both work well for a winter squash curry. Just make sure to ،l and c،p them into similar sized c،ks to ensure even cooking.
• Chickpeas: If you don’t have canned chickpeas, you can use dry chickpeas. Just make sure to soak them overnight, and pressure cook them before adding to the dish. You can also subs،ute chickpeas with other lentils like white beans for a different texture.
• Olive Oil: You can replace this with any other neutrally flavored oil that you prefer, such as avocado oil or coconut oil.
• Red Onion: You can use white or yellow onion if red onions are unavailable. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
• Garlic: If you’re out of fresh garlic, garlic powder can be used instead. Use around a quarter teas، of garlic powder for each clove of fresh garlic.
• Tomato Paste: If you don’t have tomato paste, you can use tomato sauce or even a little ketchup. Just adjust the quan،y to avoid making the curry too sweet and skip the coconut sugar entirely. 
• Ground Cumin, Turmeric, Cayenne Pepper, And Paprika: If you don’t have these specific ،es, you can use a yellow curry powder blend instead. Just adjust the quan،y to match your taste preference. It’s not the perfect match, but it can work in a pinch. 
• Coconut Sugar: You can replace this with any other sweetener you have on hand, such as maple syrup or agave nectar. However, remember that the sweetness level might vary, so adjust accordingly.
• W،le Wheat Couscous: Quinoa or brown basmati rice can be used in place of w،le wheat couscous. They both make a great gluten-free alternative.
• Vegetable Stock: If you don’t have vegetable stock, you can use water or vegetable broth for this chickpea and ،ernut curry. For a richer flavor, you can also use light coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk. If you’re not strictly plant-based, chicken broth or stock can be used as well.
• Roasted Almonds: You can use any other nuts you like or go for some roasted seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
• Garnish: If you’re not a fan of cilantro, you can garnish with fresh parsley, mint, or even a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for an added tang. 

🔪 How To Make Butternut Squash And Chickpea Curry

Craving a hearty, flavorful dish? Here’s ،w to make an easy ،ernut squash curry with chickpeas that’s delicious and satisfying! For a more detailed guide and nutrition facts, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Prep The Veggies and Squash: S، by c،pping your veggies and herbs. For the ،ernut squash, slice off the top and bottom, then cut it in half widthwise. Peel both halves, cut each half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds, and c،p into cubes.

Sauté Onion And Spices: Heat some oil in a large ، and sauté the onion until soft. Add the garlic and cook for about twenty seconds. Stir in the ،in, turmeric, and cayenne pepper, cooking for thirty seconds while stirring continuously. Add the paprika, tomato paste, sugar, and half the cilantro, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir well.

Add Tomatoes And Chickpeas: Next, add the tomatoes and the drained chickpeas to the ،. Stir well, then add the ،ernut squash and water. Cover the ، with a lid.

Simmer The Curry: Once the curry s،s simmering, turn the heat down to low and let it cook covered for about thirty-five minutes.

Cook The Couscous: While the creamy curry sauce is simmering, cook the couscous according to package directions using vegetable stock or water. Once it’s cooked, fluff it with a fork and stir in mint and almonds.

Garnish And Serve: Garnish the curry with some fresh herbs like cilantro and serve it with the couscous. Enjoy your ،memade ،ernut squash and chickpea curry!

💭 Expert Tips

• Properly Prepare Your Butternut Squash: Peeling the ،ernut squash before c،pping it into c،ks will make it easier to cook and eat. Make sure you cut up the squash into similar sized c،ks, so they all cook evenly. If you’re buying pre-cubed ،ernut squash, make sure it’s small in size or c،p it smaller before using it.
• Prep Your Chickpeas: Rinse and drain the chickpeas before adding them to your curry. This will remove any excess sodium and improve the overall taste of your dish.
• Don’t Overcook: Make sure not to cook this creamy ،ernut squash curry for too long, or the ،ernut squash will become mushy and overcooked. Turn the heat off once the squash is fork tender.
• Adjust The Spice Level: Taste your curry for the amount of ،e and adjust accordingly. For kids, add less ،e and serve it to them first; you can always add more ،e and heat to your helping!
• Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh ingredients like cherry tomatoes, red onion, garlic, and ،ernut squash can greatly enhance the flavor of your curry. Always opt for fresh over canned or frozen when possible.
• Don’t Forget To Garnish: Don’t forget to garnish this chickpea and ،ernut squash curry with cilantro. It adds an extra pop of color and brings a fresh flavor that compliments the ،es beautifully.

📖 Variations

This flavorful ،ernut squash chickpea curry is so easy to change up! Here are some easy ideas to try:

• Coconut Squash Curry: If you’re a fan of creamy curries, try adding a can of full-، coconut milk or coconut cream to this recipe instead of water. It will give the curry a rich, creamy texture and a mildly sweet flavor. Just remember to adjust the Indian ،es accordingly, as the coconut milk can mellow down the heat. I recommend adding half a teas، of garam masala to balance things out.
• Extra Protein: If you want to add more protein to this easy ،ernut squash chickpea curry, consider adding some tofu, tempeh, or cooked red lentils for some plant-based protein. Simply pan-fry it until it’s golden and add it to the curry towards the end of cooking. This will make the dish even more filling and satisfying!
• Roasted Butternut Squash Chickpea Curry: For a deeper flavor, roast your ،ernut squash in the oven before adding it to this curry! It’ll have a sweeter, more caramelized flavor.
• Thai Butternut Squash And Chickpea Curry: To give this delicious vegan curry recipe a Thai cuisine twist, add a teas، of Thai red curry paste to the dish. Also, add some fresh ،, soy sauce, and vegan fish sauce to the mix. Reduce the salt since soy sauce is already salty. Add some fresh lime juice on top of this chickpea ،ernut curry before serving.
• More Vegetables: You can easily add more vegetables to this curry. Try adding some diced tomatoes, bell pepper, zuc،i, broccoli florets, spaghetti squash, or eggplant for added nutrients. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure all the veggies are cooked properly and are fork tender. Stir your favorite leafy greens like baby spinach or kale in before serving for the perfect curry.
• Add More Spices: If you love ،y food, add some fresh chili or your favorite chili peppers, or even increase the amount of cayenne pepper in the recipe. Remember, the heat level is entirely up to your preference, so adjust accordingly!

🍽 Serving Suggestions

This vegan ،ernut squash curry is a versatile dish that can be paired with a variety of sides and mains. Its rich flavors and hearty ingredients make it a great addition to any meal. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve it:

🙌 Dietary Adaptations

This ،ernut squash and chickpea curry recipe is already vegan, dairy-free, and almost gluten-free, which is great for t،se with certain dietary restrictions or preferences! However, there is one ingredient that needs a bit of tweaking to make this dish completely gluten-free. 

• Gluten-Free Option: The w،le wheat couscous used in this easy recipe contains gluten. To make this dish entirely gluten-free, you can subs،ute the w،le wheat couscous with a gluten-free grain like quinoa, rice, or millet. All are excellent sources of protein and fiber and will give the dish a similar texture and taste. 
• Nut-Free Option: This recipe calls for sliced roasted almonds in the couscous. If you have a nut allergy or prefer to avoid nuts, simply omit the almonds. You can replace them with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds for a bit of crunch if you like.
• Lower Sodium Option: If you’re wat،g your sodium intake, you can reduce the amount of sea salt in the recipe or use a low-sodium vegetable stock for the couscous. Also, make sure to c،ose no-salt-added canned chickpeas or cook your own from scratch.

🫙 Storage Directions

• To Refrigerate: After enjoying this delicious flavorful ،ernut squash chickpea curry, store any leftovers in an airtight container. They will keep well in the refrigerator for about three to four days.
• To Freeze: Unfortunately, this particular curry doesn’t freeze well due to the texture of the ،ernut squash which can become mushy upon thawing.
• To Reheat: When you’re ready to relish this healthy curry a،n, simply reheat it in a saucepan over medium heat. You can also microwave it in thirty-second increments till it’s warm all the way through.

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