Shrimp and Squash Vindaloo

By á-169300

Makes 5 cups; 4 servings


PointsPlus™ value 5 per serving
Although we know it from Indian restaurants, "vindaloo" is actually a Portuguese dish (the name means "wine and garlic"), transplanted to Goa by merchants and colonists. Once on the subcontinent, the stew morphed into a fiery curry the Portuguese would never have recognized.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
• 1 medium acorn squash
• 1 spray nonstick cooking spray
• 3 medium shallots, peeled and minced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups fat-free, no-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 pound medium shrimp (at about 35 shrimp per pound), peeled and deveined

Preparation

Step 1

1. In a small bowl, stir the vinegar, curry powder, cinnamon, cumin, ginger, salt, and cayenne, if using, until the mixture forms a paste. Set aside.
2. Cut the squash in half along its "equator"; scoop out the seeds with a small spoon, preferably a grapefruit spoon. Set the squash cut side down on a cutting board; use a vegetable peeler to peel off the skin, shaving along the natural arc of the flesh. Cut the flesh into 1-inch cubes, repeat with the second squash half, and set aside.
3. Spray a large saucepan with nonstick spray and set over medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic; cook, stirring often, until translucent, about 3 minutes. Do not let the garlic brown. Add the prepared curry paste; cook, stirring constantly, for 15 seconds.
4. Add the squash; cook, stirring all the while, until coated in the spices, about 20 seconds.
5. Pour in the broth; bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer slowly until the squash is tender, about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Add the shrimp. Cover again and cook until the shrimp are pink and firm, about 3 minutes.


Serving size: 1 1/4 cups.