Butternut squash and chickpea baklava

This recipe by the Spice Queen, Kumud Gandhi, is a savoury vegetarian twist on the traditionally sweet Middle Eastern classic.

Served hot or cold, the squash and chickpea baklava is delicious on its own as a tasty snack, or it can be served with a salad to turn it into a main meal.

Butternut squash and chickpea Baklava in white serving dish. Recipe from The Garlic Story by Kumud Gandhi
© Paul Gregory Photography
Butternut squash and chickpea Baklava on a multi coloured plate. Recipe from The Garlic Story by Kumud Gandhi

Butternut squash and chickpea baklava

Kumud Gandhi
Who says baklava has to be sweet? A savoury vegetarian twist on a Middle Eastern classic, courtesy of Kumud Gandhi of The Cooking Academy
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kg butternut squash (peeled weight) Peeled and diced into 1cm cubes
  • 4 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp for the squash, 2 tbsp for the filling
  • 400 grams tinned chickpeas drained and rinsed
  • 2 tsp cumin seeds
  • 2 tbsp harissa
  • 2 onions finely chopped
  • 1 leek white part chopped
  • 3 tsp finely minced garlic
  • 180 grams cooked and peeled chestnuts chopped
  • 150 grams soft white breadcrumbs
  • 1 handful coriander finely chopped
  • 50 grams sultanas
  • 100 mls vegetable stock
  • 2 270 g packs of filo pastry
  • 75 grams unsalted butter, melted
  • 200 grams feta, crumbled
  • 1 tsp black onion seeds
  • 1 drizzle runny honey
  • 1 pinch dried chilli flakes
  • 1 pinch sea salt flakes

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 200°c/180°c fan/gas mark 6.
  • Put the diced squash on a baking tray, drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, season generously with salt and pepper, then toss to coat all the cubes. Bake for 10 minutes.
  • Transfer the squash to a large bowl and add the chickpeas, cumin seeds and harissa. Stir everything together, spread out on the tray and return to the oven to cook for a further 15 minutes, or until the squash is just tender. Leave to cool.
  • Turn the oven down to 180°c/160°c/gas mark 4. Heat the remaining olive oil in a pan and cook the onions, leek and garlic for 10-15 minutes over a low heat until softened.
  • Put half the onion mixture in a bowl with the chestnuts, breadcrumbs, coriander, sultanas and stock. Mix and season. Stir the remaining onion mixture into the squash and chickpeas.
  • To assemble the baklava, trim the filo sheets so they fit neatly into a deep 25cm x 35cm baking dish or roasting tin. Brush the dish with melted butter. Brush 4 of the filo sheets with melted butter, then layer them up in the bottom of the dish. Add a third of the squash mix, a third of the chestnut mix and a third of the crumbled feta. Top with another 4 sheets of buttered filo and add another third of each mixture. Top with another 4 sheets of filo, then the remaining mixture, then finish with a final layer of 4 sheets.
  • Cut a classic baklava pattern into the pastry all the way through to the bottom layer. Sprinkle with the onion seeds, then bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the baklava is deep golden and crisp. Cool for 10 minutes in the dish.
  • Drizzle the baklava with honey and sprinkle with chilli flakes and salt before serving in wedges. A dollop of Turkish chilli sauce makes a great accompaniment.
Keyword vegetarian

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