Creamy Kabocha & Peanut Butter Pasta: A Rich and Nutty Delight
Indulge in Richness: Creamy Kabocha and Peanut Butter Pasta!
Experience a truly unique pasta dish where the natural sweetness of kabocha squash meets the rich, nutty flavor of peanut butter, enhanced with the subtle crunch of almonds. This recipe offers a healthier, yet incredibly decadent cream sauce. As this is my first post, I regret not being able to capture photos of the cooking process. However, I’ll be sure to include detailed pictures in my upcoming posts!
Pasta Ingredients- 200g spaghetti
- 2L water (for boiling pasta)
- 20g coarse salt (for boiling pasta)
- 10ml olive oil (for boiling pasta)
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/2 medium onion
- 1/4 head cabbage (optional, about the same amount as onion)
- 3 strips bacon
- 2 button mushrooms
- 1/4 head broccoli
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
Sauce Ingredients- 150g kabocha squash (peeled and seeded)
- 20g roasted peanut butter (unsweetened preferred)
- 4 whole almonds (chopped)
- 100ml heavy cream (whipping cream)
- 100ml milk
- 150g kabocha squash (peeled and seeded)
- 20g roasted peanut butter (unsweetened preferred)
- 4 whole almonds (chopped)
- 100ml heavy cream (whipping cream)
- 100ml milk
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
To utilize the beautiful yellow color and sweetness of the kabocha squash, peel off the tough outer skin. Scoop out and discard the seeds.
Step 2
Place the prepared kabocha squash in a steamer basket and steam over high heat for about 15 minutes, or until it becomes tender when pierced with a fork. The softer it is, the easier it will be to blend.
Step 3
While the squash is steaming, thinly slice the garlic or gently smash it with the side of your knife. This preparation helps to release more of its aromatic flavor into the dish.
Step 4
Thinly slice the onion into strips. You can slice them across the grain for tenderness or slightly thicker for more noticeable texture.
Step 5
Chop the cabbage into bite-sized pieces. Cabbage adds a lovely crispness to the pasta. While it’s optional, adding it will contribute to a more delightful texture.
Step 6
Cut the bacon into roughly 1-2 cm wide pieces. Clean the button mushrooms, remove the stems, and slice them. Prepare the broccoli by cutting it into small florets.
Step 7
Once the kabocha is steamed and slightly cooled, transfer it to a blender. Add the peanut butter, chopped almonds, heavy cream, and milk. Blend until completely smooth, resembling a creamy soup consistency. This smooth base is key to a velvety sauce.
Step 8
In a large pot, bring 2L of water to a boil with 20g of coarse salt and 10ml of olive oil for cooking the pasta. Meanwhile, heat a separate pan over medium-low heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Preheating the pan helps to cook the ingredients evenly and develop flavor.
Step 9
Add the prepared garlic, onion, cabbage, and bacon to the preheated pan. Sauté over medium heat. Cook until the garlic is fragrant, the onions become translucent, and the bacon is nicely browned. This step is crucial for building the foundational flavors of the dish.
Step 10
Once the water is boiling, add the spaghetti and cook for about 7 minutes, or 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions suggest. This is to achieve an ‘al dente’ texture, as the pasta will finish cooking in the sauce. Reserve about a cup of the pasta water before draining.
Step 11
When the vegetables are nearly tender, add the broccoli and mushrooms to the pan and sauté for another 1-2 minutes. Pour the blended kabocha peanut butter cream sauce into the pan. Reduce heat to low and stir gently as it heats through.
Step 12
Drain the cooked pasta and add it directly to the sauce pan. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, gradually add some of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste, being mindful of the saltiness from the bacon and peanut butter.
Step 13
Serve the delicious Kabocha and Peanut Butter Cream Pasta in a nice bowl. For an extra touch, garnish with a sprinkle of parsley or some extra sliced almonds. Enjoy your homemade gourmet meal!
