Talk about a recipe that screams fall! This vegan Thai Butternut Squash and Pumpkin Curry is a delicious marriage of butternut squash, pumpkin and apple in a rich, spicy sauce. It’s a healthy, quick and easy dinner perfect for busy weeknights!
It’s fun to see the farmer’s market transition from summer’s bounty into autumn’s. My gears started spinning this past weekend with all of the fall squashes, pumpkins, apples, and hearty greens gracing the tables.
This recipe epitomizes my love for combining a bunch of veggies with fruit, and striking the perfect sweet n’ spicy balance.
Quick & Easy Thai Butternut Squash and Pumpkin Curry
This is one of those recipes where having all your vegetables chopped and ready to go makes life much easier, and is something you can do the night before.
Ingredients are added in fairly quick succession so you’ll want everything on standby once you fire up your skillet. If you don’t have at least a 12-inch skillet, you can always use a large pot or Dutch oven.
Once your skillet is nice and hot, this curry comes together in just 30 minutes. Whoohoo! You’ll have tender squash, apples, swiss chard, peppers and onion bathing in a boldly flavored pumpkin and coconut Thai sauce kissed with garlic and ginger.
You can totally amp up the spice or dial it back to keep your gang happy. We found two tablespoons of the Thai red curry paste to be the just right Goldilocks amount.
To serve it up, have some hot, steamy rice ready to go, and get your garnish on with fresh basil, cilantro, green onion, and a good squeeze of lime. Enjoy!
Here are more mouthwatering weeknight dinner ideas!
- Pork & Pear Stir Fry Noodle Bowl
- Thai Red Curry Shrimp
- Sheet Pan Roasted Halibut with Shiitake Mushrooms
- Sesame Beef Stir Fry with Asparagus & Sweet Potato
- Sheet Pan Salmon & Broccoli with Soy Mustard Glaze
Essential kitchen tools used in this recipe!
- Lodge 12-inch Cast Iron Skillet or Dutch oven
- 7-inch Santoku Knife – a sharp knife makes chopping a breeze
- BPA-free Cutting Boards
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Recipe
Thai Butternut Squash and Pumpkin Curry
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 pound butternut squash, peeled and cut into ¾-inch cubes (about 4 cups)
- 1 yellow or green zucchini, chopped
- 1 large apple, unpeeled and chopped
- 1 red or green bell pepper, chopped
- ½ large onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1-2 tablespoons Thai red curry paste
- 1 14- ounce can unsweetened coconut milk, whole or light
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 large red Swiss chard leaves, stemmed and cut into thin strips
- 1 lime, zest and juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4-6 cups steamed rice for serving
- Garnishes - sliced green onion, fresh cilantro and basil, extra lime wedges
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium high heat.
- Add butternut squash to skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Cook 5 minutes to start to caramelize, stirring frequently.
- Mix zucchini, apple, bell pepper, and onion into skillet with butternut squash. Season with salt and pepper. Cook 5 minutes until starting to soften, stirring frequently.
- Add garlic and ginger. Cook 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Stir in pumpkin and curry paste until all vegetables are thoroughly coated. Cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring occasionally.
- Pour in coconut milk, vegetable broth and soy sauce. Stir to thoroughly combine, and bring to a bubbling simmer. Lower heat to medium and simmer uncovered 10-12 minutes.
- Add swiss chard a handful at a time until wilted into the curry mixture.
- Once all the swiss chard is added, stir in lime zest and juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Let cool, cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over medium-low heat.)
- Serve with steamed rice. Garnish with sliced green onions, fresh cilantro and basil, and an extra squeeze of lime. Enjoy!
