Vegan Spicy Butternut Squash from Anupy Singla's "The Indian Slow Cooker"

Paitha.  Spicy Butternut Squash, Indian style from "The Indian Slow Cooker" book.

Another hit from "The Indian Slow Cooker" book by Anupy Singla.  If you are a lover of Indian food, this will be a staple for ya.  Had zero idea what to expect from this dish because I don't think I have ever eaten it anywhere, so was excited to try something new. I used Butternut & Acorn Squash that my folks had gifted me from their garden.

"The Indian Slow Cooker" from Amazon.

 And I am just wondering, anyone on Weight Watchers out there?? Apparently they have a new plan where fruits & veggies (not slathered with oil) are "free", meaning no points or one point??  Since there is zero oil in this dish, would that mean that the dish would be Zero points? (Minus the 2 teaspoons of Coconut Sap I used)??  Because wouldn't that be crazy, insane, good (if you do the point thing)?  Nearly every dish in the book is oil free, and is made of veggies or beans.  So would that mean that you would only "count" the beans for the legume/bean dishes??  Because the rest of the ingredients are truly spices, onions, garlic, tomatoes here & there..........Of course nearly this whole book (minus the few meat recipes) would fall into the "Forks Over Knives" or "The China Study" kind of eating idea.  Plant based, low fat, no processed food.  

Onions, Cumin Seeds, Cardamom, Fenugreek, & Cinnamon.

Most of the recipes don't have any or much stovetop prep. involved.  This has a small amount.  Basically toasting the spices a bit.

Cooking the onions just a bit with the other spices.

And then put it all in the slow cooker! Turn on & leave!

Right when it's finished cooking, you add this little mixture.  I substituted Coconut Sap for the small amount of sugar that was in the recipe.

Anupy says that the Indian take on squash is "out of this world" and my hubby & I would have to concur.  Just a sweet & spicy amazing combination.  And you Chicago Peeps, Anupy is working on her second book, which is ALL VEGAN.  So "like" her facebook page  "Indian as Apple Pie"  & inquire about being a taste tester if you are in her 'hood!  Oh, and she has created a beautiful spice tiffin which will be at Williams-Sonoma soon!  It will have standard measuring spoons & is beautiful!

If you don't have her book yet....you are missing: Yes, ALL made in a Crockpot/Slow Cooker!

Black Eyed peas infused with Cilantro

Aloo Gobi


Chana Dal


Vegan Keema


Palak Sin Paneer


Black Lentils with Kidney Beans


Tart Whole Pigeon Peas


Ginger Garlic Eggplant


Kala Chana (Black Chickpea Curry)


And lots more!  I put links to the posts about the recipes I have tried from her book on the right hand side of the blog.  ANYONE could make these recipes.  Usually there is a lot of room for someone who is not used to cooking to really screw up something, but this book is almost "Indian Cooking for Dummies".  (I love those Dummies books).  But it is so basic that the most work you will do is just buying the legumes since sometimes they have multiple names.  I go with the Indian name on most, because that is what will be printed on the package.  Also, don't forget if you are using a regular grade of salt, try cutting it in half first.  She uses a courser salt, so if you use a regular, more finely ground type, then it may be too salty!!  It is easy to add salt at the end.

Any Indian food lovers out there??  I think I have loved Indian Cuisine since I had my first bit, although I have no idea exactly when I had my first bite!

Do you like it super spicy?  Super spicy is fine with me.  Just call me Spicy Broad.


 Do you have this book?  What are your favorite dishes from it? Hubby loves the Black Lentil (Dal Makhani).  I concur, but I also love the Squash & eggplant & Aloo Gobi & every Chickpea dish in it.  I think I love them all.  


  Are there other Indian Cookbooks out there that like?  What was your favorite thing that you ate this weekend??   I think the favorite thing I watched my hubby eat (drink) was some Kale/Cucumber/Beet juice which he put up with.....Loved the Spicy Butternut Squash & I made her Mustard Green dish also  (tonight) along with the Black Split Lentil  Dal.  Nice to be eating some Indian again.  It's "comfort food" in our house.

And...does a store around St. Louis carry Gluten Free Asafoetida??  I think the Frontier brand online does, but just wondering if there is some in the 'hood.  Hubby brought some home from "Seema", but it had flour in it, as does most. Bummer because now I really don't even know which dishes "out" are GF or not :(