Butternut Squash Mince Bake

Name: Butternut Squash Mince Bake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 45 min
Total time: 2 h 5 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 3 tbsp olive oil; 2 medium butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and cut into chunks; 1 kg minced lamb, beef or mutton; 1 onion, peeled and finely chopped; 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed; 2 tbsp tomato puree; 1 tbsp curry powder; 800 g can chopped tomatoes; 2 tbsp mango chutney; 1 can whole apricots; 570 ml milk; Salt and ground black pepper

By: FPG

AuthorFPG

Traditionally in South Africa a pot of this spicy warming sweet and sour fruit mince would get started and then be kept on the stove all winter, adding more meats, vegetables and fruits as it got used up. Here it has been transformed into this unusual minced pie recipe topped with a grated cheese.

Yields8 Servings

Prep Time20 minsCook Time1 hr 45 minsTotal Time2 hrs 5 mins

3 tbsp olive oil

2 medium butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and cut into chunks

1 kg minced lamb, beef or mutton

1 onion, peeled and finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed

2 tbsp tomato puree

1 tbsp curry powder

800 g can chopped tomatoes

2 tbsp mango chutney

1 can whole apricots

570 ml milk

Salt and ground black pepper

Heat the oven to 190C (375F) mark 5. Put 2 tbsp olive oil in a bowl and add the butternut squash, season and mix well. Tip into a roasting tin and roast for 25 - 30 minutes, until just tender.

Meanwhile, in a large casserole, heat the remaining oil and stir fry the onions for 5 minutes or until soft. Add the mince and cook until browned about 10 minutes. Discard any excess fat.

Add the garlic, tomato puree and curry powder and cook for a further 1 minute.

Add the chopped tomatoes, mango chutney, drained apricots and milk. Bring to the boil and cook for about 20 minutes, top up with water if it begins to get too dry. Add the roasted butternut squash and taste and season. Spoon into a 1.5 litre ovenproof pie dish or smaller dishes for the freezer. Scatter with the grated cheese.

Cook for 20-25 minutes, until golden. Serve with a salad, baked potato or seasonal vegetables.

Ingredients