Acorn Squash Curry

Mildly spicy aromatic spices are combined with tomatoes and garlic to create the base for this delightful Acorn Squash Curry. Super quick and easy to make, this squash recipe has always been a crowd pleaser every time I’ve served it!

At the first sight of this seasonal veggie in the supermarket, it’s on repeat in my weekly menus! We just can’t get enough of this winter vegetable throughout its peak season (October through December).

This curry dish was inspired by the easy aloo sabzi recipe on this site and pairs well with this easy lentil curry.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Substitutions
• A Quick & Easy Holiday Variation
• Equipment
• Storage
• Top Tip
• FAQ
• Acorn Squash Curry

Ingredients

• Acorn Squash
• Cooking Oil
• Garlic Paste
• Fenugreek Seeds
• Cumin Seeds
• Black Mustard Seeds
• Tomatoes
• Red Chili Powder
• Salt
• Turmeric Powder
• Amchur Powder (Mango Powder)
• Cilantro

See recipe card for quantities and details.

Instructions

• Cut the squash into cubes and toss them in a tablespoon of the olive oil (or whatever oil you’re using).
• Lay the cubed pieces in a single layer on your foil covered baking sheet for the oven or in your air fryer.

Note: Air Fryers are quicker but if you don’t have one just oven bake the Squash till it’s a nice golden brown.

• Once the squash is cooked, temper the garlic and whole spices in some hot oil.
• Add the tomatoes (I pre steam and freeze my tomatoes as per my tiktok.com/@untoldrecipesbynosheen to speed up the curry making process), the teaspoon salt and all the rest of the curry powder mix except the amchur to make the acorn squash curry base

Note: Tempering releases the essential oils in the spices and makes them more aromatic.

• Add in the air fried/baked squash and cook it in the spicy tomato base.

• Cook on medium heat to prevent the roasted acorn squash from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Add in the Amchur powder, garnish with cilantro and enjoy your delicious side dish or vegetarian main!

Substitutions

• Acorn Squash - There are many delicious fall squashes, many with a similar flavor profile. Butternut, Pumpkin and Kabocha are the three that I would recommend as great substitutes for Acorn Squash in this recipe.
• Fenugreek Seeds - I would highly recommend the actual seeds but if you can’t source them then you can use the dried leaves instead.
• Cumin Seeds - Cumin seeds are usually easy to find but cumin powder will work in a pinch.
• Amchur Powder – Lime juice makes a great alternative to amchur powder but if you want to be more adventurous you can try dried pomegranate seeds instead!

Note: The combination of the three whole spices adds a delicious aroma to the acorn squash curry, but if you can’t source all 3 then try and use at least 2 of them in a seed form.

A Quick & Easy Holiday Variation

If you want a simpler and less complicated version of this recipe for the holidays this is for you! A Slightly less spicy shortcut version of the butternut squash that’s just as delicious and a feast for the eyes on top of that!

• Air fry or oven bake - the squash as detailed above.
• Toss in some mild spices - As soon as the squash is done, while it's still hot, toss it in ½ teaspoon salt, ⅛ teaspoon turmeric and ½ teaspoon paprika (per acorn squash)
• Temper - ½ teaspoon cumin seeds and ½ teaspoon black mustard seeds in oil and drizzle on top.
• Add some tang - Squeeze the juice of half a lemon on the squash.
• Garnish for a pop of color - with seasonal pomegranate and cilantro microgreens (or regular cilantro leaves) and serve!

Equipment

• Large Bowl - To toss the squash with the oil
• Air Fryer or Oven - To pre cook the squash. While this step is not necessary it saves time. As I prep the curry base the squash bakes and then I simply combine the two and bring it all together at the end. It's also a great way to buy, bake and prep your vegetables and store them to cook later. Once baked, the shelf like of the vegetable increases as it can stay in your fridge or freezer for much longer than the raw version without losing its texture or flavor.
• Baking Sheet - If you're using the oven method.
• Aluminum Foil - To line your baking sheet.
• Large Saucepan or Pot - Depending on the amount of vegetables you're cooking.

Storage

• Fridge – The squash once cooked will stay good in the fridge for upto 4 days maximum. Reheat it in the microwave to serve and don't stir it too much to prevent the squash from becoming a mush!
• Freezer – Although I don't recommend this method, you can freeze the acorn squash curry for upto 3 months. It is likely to become a bit mushy when defrosted due to the excess moisture. For best results, reheat it in an oven to dry it up a bit and don't stir it while heating.

Top Tip

How to Buy the Perfect Acorn Squash! For without the right vegetable your curry won't turn out perfect!

The ideal acorn squash is about 1-2 pounds in weight and 4-7 inches in length. The smaller the vegetable, the more likely it is to be sweeter and juicier.

A dark green color with a few flecks of orange on the skin is a fresh and ripe squash. Too much orange indicates an overripe vegetable and the likelihood of gray, moldy seeds on the inside of one is high.

The inside of the squash should be a nice golden yellow when you cut into it, similar to that of a pumpkin, as both belong to the same family.

FAQ

• What Does Acorn squash Pair Well With? - Acorn Squash is a great side or main. With regard to Pakistani food I like it best with roast meats such as my pakistani-beef-roast-with-tandoori-masala, meet entrees like my easy-oven-baked-seekh-kebab or my kaali-masoor-ki-daal-brown-lentils for a totally vegetarian meal.
• How Long Should Acorn Squash Cook? - This depends on the the cooking method, the equipment and the way the squash is cut. Based on this recipe, if the acorn squash is peeled and cubed it will cook fairly quickly. In my oven I cook it at 450 degrees for 30 minutes and in my airfryer I cook it at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Everyones oven and air fryer is slightly different, so adjustments may need to be made.
• Is Acorn Squash Good For Diabetics? - Acorn Squash has numerous health benefits, but the main ones are it's high fiber content and low glycemic index. This makes it a great option for someone on a diabetic diet.
• Does Acorn Squash Count As A Carb Or A Veggie? - Botanically classified as a fruit, Acorn Squash is actually counted as a starchy vegetable when planning menus. A much healthier option than many others along with it's beautiful color and delicious taste make it a popular option.

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