Squash Coconut Curry Noodles

Name: Squash Coconut Curry Noodles
Prep time: 30

5 out of 5 stars (based on 6 reviews)

30 min prep

4 servings

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19 ingredients

All the flavors and spices (including cancer-fighting turmeric) come together perfectly in this delicious squash coconut curry noodle dish. The prep for this meal looks more difficult than it actually is because of all the...

Check Ann’s Tip for some delicious protein additions.

2 tablespoons canola or grape seed oil
1 garlic clove, thinly sliced into strips
1 inch piece of ginger root, peeled and cut into matchsticks
1 jalapeno pepper, deseeded and thinly sliced into strips
1 large onion, halved and thinly sliced lengthwise
1 medium Italian frying pepper, seeded and thinly sliced lengthwise
1 (2 pound) butternut squash, deseeded, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes (about 3-4 cups pre-cut squash)
½ teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground coriander
¼ teaspoon ground cloves or Chinese 5 spice powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne, or to taste
1 (14 ounce) can regular or light coconut milk
½ cup water
Salt, to taste
1 to 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
8 ounces Thai rice noodles, cooked according to package instructions
Juice of ½ lime, or to taste
3 tablespoons roughly chopped cilantro leaves
1 cup bean sprouts, or to taste

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Nutrition Facts

Calories

466 cals

Fat

16 g

Saturated Fat

6 g

Polyunsaturated Fat

6 g

Monounsaturated Fat

2 g

Carbohydrates

74 g

Sugar

5 g

Fiber

6 g

Protein

7 g

Sodium

1203 mg

Directions

Heat the oil in a wok or large skillet with a lid over a medium-high heat. When oil starts to shimmer, add the garlic, ginger, and jalapeno. Stir-fry until the garlic starts to turn golden.
Add the onions and pepper and continue to stir fry until the onions begin to soften, but not color.
Mix in the cubed squash. Cover and turn the heat down to medium. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to make the sure vegetables do not stick to the bottom of the pan.
Uncover, turn the heat up to medium-high and add the turmeric, coriander, ground cloves, and cayenne to the pan. Mix well to coat the vegetables. Cook, stirring for 1 minute.
Add the coconut milk, water, salt, and sesame oil. Mix well.
Bring the heat down to a simmer, cover and cook for about 10-15 minutes or until squash is tender, stirring occasionally. Add a little water if looks too dry; the curry should be saucy.
Once the sauce is tender, stir in the Thai rice noodles, lime juice, cilantro, and bean sprouts. Mix well. Cook through for 1 minute. Taste for seasonings, then serve.

Chef Tips

I like this curry as is, but if you want extra protein, add some firm tofu, or, for a non veggie version, add ½ a boneless skinless chicken breast cut into thin ‘stir fry’ strips. Here’s what to do:
– Firm tofu: cut it into ¼-inch cubes and add it in step 5 with the coconut milk.
– Chicken: add it in at step 2 once the onions and peppers are just getting soft.
– Stir fry until it is no longer pink then continue onto step 3, of adding the squash.
If the ground spices are difficult to find at your market, substitute 1½ teaspoons ground curry powder.

The prep for this can be simplified by buying pre-cut butternut squash

Registered Dietitian Approved

Our recipes, articles, and videos are reviewed by our oncology-trained dietitians to ensure that each is backed with scientific evidence and follows the guidelines set by the Oncology Nutrition for Clinical Practice, 2nd Ed., published by the Oncology Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group, a professional interest group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and the American Institute for Cancer Research and the American Cancer Society