Senegalese Okra Stew

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 small sweet onion, sliced
• 1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 habanero, seeded and minced
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 1/2 cups 1/2-inch cubed butternut squash
• Salt
• 3 1/2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
• 3/4 pound okra, trimmed and sliced crosswise 3/4 inch thick
• 1/4 cup cashew butter
• Cilantro leaves, for garnish

Steps

1. In a large, heavy pot, heat the oil. Add the onion, ginger and garlic and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the habanero, cumin and turmeric and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the squash, season with salt and cook, stirring, until the squash is coated with the seasonings in the pan. Add 3 cups of the broth and bring to a boil. Simmer over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until the squash is nearly tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the okra and cook until tender, about 3 minutes.
2. In a bowl, whisk the cashew butter with the remaining 1/2 cup of broth. Stir the mixture into the stew and simmer for 5 minutes. Serve the stew in deep bowls, garnished with cilantro.