This kabocha squash red curry is creamy, slightly sweet and just delicious. Easy to make and ready in about 30 minutes, this low fat red curry dish can be whipped up in no time for a healthy, weeknight dinner. 

Vegan Kabocha Squash Red Curry - Low in Fat

Winter Squash Season

There are so many healthy, nutrient-rich winter squashes in season right now. Butternut, spaghetti, kabocha and acorn are the most common and aside from the spaghetti squash they’re all interchangeable in recipes. I almost always make squash as part of my winter season food prep routine.

I rotate between butternut, acorn and kabocha and I always make a spaghetti squash. Sometimes I just roast them on their own, a lot of the time I will make a soup or stew with them and other times I’ll use them in various recipes like this Creamy Curried Butternut Squash Stew or Roasted Squash Salad with Marinated Chickpeas.

To Peel Or Not To Peel

Depending on the amount of effort I want to put in and what I’m making, I may or may not peel squash before cooking it. The skin comes off so easily once it’s cooked, it’s not always necessary to peel it before hand. If I’m cubing squash for a recipe or soup though, I’ll always peel it before use.

Kabocha squash is an awkward shape and it’s skin is quite tough so it can be a little tricky to peel. For this recipe, I cut it in half, scooped out the seeds then cubed it and sliced the peel off each piece. I don’t usually peel kabocha squash before baking it for this creamy red curry it was worth the extra effort.

Vegan Kabocha Squash Red Curry - Low in Fat

I’m in love the flavour the sweet kabocha squash adds to this recipe, I’ve made this the last 3 weeks in a row for food prep! Plus, as it cooks, the squash becomes so tender it adds a beautiful creaminess to the dish without any added fat. The sweet flavour of kabocha squash is amazing combined with other vegetables and tangy red curry flavour.

Substitution Notes

I made this recipe with unsweetened almond milk to keep it virtually fat-free however it could also be made with light or full-fat coconut milk. Either would be delicious and only add more flavour and creaminess! If you’re looking for a red curry paste that doesn’t contain any seafood, Thai Kitchen Red Curry Paste is a good option.

You can increase the protein in this dish by adding your favourite protein source. Some baked tofu, chickpeas or lentils would be delicous, simply stir them in as it’s finishing cooking.

I eat this as it is but if you’d like to serve it over rice or noodles, I’d recommend using light coconut milk and adding about 1.5 cups so you have more creamy liquid to spoon over your rice. You could also remove a spoonful of the cooked kabocha squash and blend with some almond or coconut milk for even more creamy, red curry sauce!

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Kabocha Squash Red Curry

  • Author: Deryn Macey
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: Stew
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Asian
  • Diet: Vegan

This sweet and creamy curried kabocha squash makes a healthy, filling, simple plant-based meal.

★★★★★

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Ingredients

  • 1 medium white onion, diced (2 cups, 300 g)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced (12 g)
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced (10 g)
  • 1 green bell pepper, seeds removed and chopped
  • 3 cups peeled and chopped carrot (approx. 3 cups, 450 g)
  • 4–5 cups peeled and cubed kabocha squash (approx. 600 g)
  • 3 tbsp red curry paste (45 g)
  • 1 14 oz can light coconut milk
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp white miso paste, optional

Instructions

  1. Add the onion, garlic and ginger to a large saucepan with either 1 tbsp of water, oil or broth. Saute for 6-7 minutes until soft and fragrant.
  2. Add the red curry paste, stir well, and cook for a few more minutes.
  3. Add the coconut milk, squash, carrot and bell pepper, bring to a light simmer then cover and for 20-25 minutes until the squash is tender, stirring every so often.
  4. Stir in the lime, soy sauce and miso paste, if using.
  5. Serve over rice topped with fresh cilantro and chopped peanuts or toasted cashews.

Notes

If you want to serve this over rice, I’d recommend using light coconut milk and adding about 1.5 cups so there’s a little more creamy liquid to spoon over your rice!

Keywords: kabocha squash recipes, squash red curry