Seven Samurai

Kabocha is a type of squash known as "Japanese pumpkin". It looks like a buttercup squash, in fact. Almost identical. If they are one and the same, somebody should let me know- I'll be buying buttercup squash by the bushel.

Just calling these dark green squash pumpkin doesn't do it justice. It has a thin shell, easily removed with a vegetable peeler, allowing it to be cooked in ways one simply can';t a normal Pumpkin.

Simmered Sweet Kabocha

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

1 lb kanocha

1 c water

4 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp soy sauce

Preparation:

Peel the kabocha using a vegetable peeler (unlike Western pumpkins, it will peel easily), and then cut it into 1 1/2 inch pieces.

Cooking:

Put water, sugar, soy sauce, and kabocha into a pot. Turn on high heat and bring to a boil, and then lower to a simmer and cover. Simmer for 15 minutes, or until the water is almost gone.

Locro de Zapallo

Squash, peas, and corn... The essential ingredients of the Americas are all represented inthis dish.

You can use jalapeno instead of aji amarillo, if you can't find it.

Locro de Zapallo

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

3 lbs squash, cubed

1/3 cup oil

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tsp aji amarillo

1 tsp oregano

3/4 cup peas

3 white potatoes, peeled and chopped into cubes

2 cups sweet corn

1/2 cup evaporated milk

3/4 cup shredded white cheese (most likely montery jack or white cheddar will work)

3 green olives, pitted and halved

salt and pepper to taste

Cooking:

Heat oil in a pot and then add the onion, garlic, aji amarillo, and oregano. Cook until aromatic. Then add the squash, peas, potato, and corn. Cover, and simmer until squash and potatoes are soft.

Add milk and cheese. Mix until cheese is melted, and pepper and salt to taste.

Serve topped with chunks of cheese, and the olives.

This dish is really quite nice. The olive topping pulls it together really nicely. I'm not entirely certain whether it was originally intended to be squash or pumpkin, though I suspect it doesn't matter which you use.