Pumpkin Edamame Kabocha Salad
While it’s a member of the pumpkin family, Kabocha has a starchy texture closer to potatoes than squash. It’s loaded with vitamin A, C and beta-carotene and is sweeter than a potato, making it a tasty alternative to the humble spud.
Together with vibrant green edamame, this salad makes for a delicious side to a holiday meal with its medley of colors, textures and flavors. The earthy kabocha starts to melt into the nutty peanut butter as you stir it, making a rich creamy mash that coats the remaining chunks of pumpkin and edamame.
While many upscale grocery stores carry kabocha pumpkins this time of year, if you’re not able to find them, you can substitute butternut squash or sweet potatoes for the kabocha. Edamame can be found in the frozen food section of most grocery stores, but if you can’t find them, fresh chickpeas or fava beans make good alternatives.
- Yield:4-6 servings
- Prep Time:5 minutes
- Cook Time:10 minutes
- Total Time:15 minutes
Ingredients
Kabocha pumpkin (27 oz, half of a large one)
Edamame (14 oz whole, 7 oz shelled)
1/4 cup Peanut Butter & Co. Smooth Operator
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 tbsp soy sauce
salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Use a spoon to scrape out the seeds from the kabocha, and then use a peeler to peel the green skin. Use a heavy knife to cut the kabocha into 2” chunks.
Add the kabocha to the boiling water and boil until it’s tender enough to pass a fork through (about 10 minutes). Be careful not to over-cook them, as they will absorb a lot of water and turn to mush.
While the kabocha is cooking, prepare the edamame according to the package directions. Some come pre-cooked so you just need to thaw them in warm water. Shell the edamame into a bowl and add the peanut butter, mayonnaise and soy sauce.
When the kabocha is cooked, drain them in a colander and add them in with the edamame while they’re still hot. Use a spatula to stir everything together, and it’s okay if the pumpkin gets a little mashed. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
You can serve it warm, or let it cool to room temperature and put it in the fridge.
Tags: dinner-and-entrees Lunch Peanut butter Peanut Butter & Co. Pumpkin Salad Side dish Smooth Operator Thanksgiving Uncategorized Vegetables Vegetarian