Most squash preparations are fairly bland, sweet, even insipid, but not this one, a lovely winter stew that can be a centerpiece for vegetarians (or for meat eaters with the addition of a few cubes of boneless chicken). A good rice pilaf (page 513) would suit this fine. It would also be at home alongside plain grilled steak. Other vegetables you can prepare this way: Semi-ripe plantains, potatoes, or sweet potatoes.

　　

Ingredients

makes 4 servings

　　1 large onion, peeled

　　5 garlic cloves, peeled

　　1 small dried chile or 1 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes, or to taste

　　2 tablespoons corn, grapeseed, or other neutral oil

　　Salt and black pepper to taste

　　1 tablespoon curry powder, preferably homemade (pages 592–593) or to taste

　　1 cup chopped tomato (canned is fine), optional

　　About 1 1/2 pounds winter squash, like butternut or firm pumpkin, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes

　　Lime wedges for serving

　　

Step 1

Combine the onion, garlic, and chile in a food processor and grind until pasty. Put the oil in a large skillet or flameproof casserole with a lid over medium heat and add the onion mixture along with some salt and pepper and the curry powder. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to brown, 5 to 10 minutes.

　　

Step 2

Add the tomato or 1/2 cup water along with the squash. Cover and adjust the heat so the mixture simmers steadily. Cook, stirring occasionally and adding more water if necessary, until the squash is tender, about 20 minutes. Serve with the lime wedges.

　　The Best Recipes in the World by Mark Bittman. © 2005 by Mark Bittman. Published by Broadway Books. All Rights Reserved.MARK BITTMAN is the author of the blockbuster The Best Recipes in the World (Broadway, 2005) and the classic bestseller How to Cook Everything, which has sold more than one million copies. He is also the coauthor, with Jean-Georges Vongerichten, of Simple to Spectacular and Jean-Georges: Cooking at Home with a Four-Star Chef. Mr. Bittman is a prolific writer, makes frequent appearances on radio and television, and is the host of The Best Recipes in the World, a 13-part series on public television. He lives in New York and Connecticut.