Seafood & Squash Gumbo
Seafood & Squash Gumbo

Seafood & Squash Gumbo

Source: LCBO Food & Drink Autumn 2022
Rating: 10/10

Yields5 Servings
Squash
 1 carnival squash, about 1-1/2 lbs (680g) [I used butternut squash]
 2 tbsp olive oil
 1 tbsp smoked paprika
Gumbo
 3 tbsp olive oil, divided
 4 inks fresh chorizo sausage, about 1 1/4 lbs (565 g), frozen 30minutes then cut into 1/2-inch (1-cm) thick rounds
 ¼ cup unsalted butter
  cup all-purpose flour
 1 cup finely diced cooking onion
 2 celery stalks, sliced 1/4-inch (5-mm) thick, about 1 cup (250mL)
 1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1/2 inch (1-cm) pieces, about 1 1/4 cups (310 mL)
 2 tbsp minced garlic
 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
 2 tbsp Cajun blackened seasoning
 4 cups vegetable broth
 1 bay leaf
 ¾ lb jumbo (21-25 count) shrimp, peeled, deveined
 2 cups baby spinach, packed
  cup thinly sliced green onions
  cup finely chopped Italian flat-leaf parsley
 Steamed long-grain rice for serving
1

Place rack in centre of oven. Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2

Halve, seed and cut squash into 1/2-inch (1-cm) cubes. Place in mixing bowl and toss with oil and smoked paprika. Place on baking sheet. Bake until just tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven.

3

Heat 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove and set aside.

4

Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil and butter. When butter has melted, whisk in flour. Cook, whisking often, until roux is dark golden, 5 to 6 minutes. Add onions, celery, peppers and 1/2 cup (125 mL) roasted squash. Sauté until vegetables have slightly softened and squash has broken down, 6 to 7 minutes. Stir in garlic, thyme, sausage and Cajun seasoning. Cook 2 minutes. Add vegetable broth and bay leaf. Raise heat to high. When it comes to a boil, reduce heat to maintain gentle simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft and gumbo has thickened, about 25 minutes. Add shrimp. Cook until shrimp are opaque, about 2 minutes. Turn off heat and stir in spinach and remaining squash. Taste for salt, though the Cajun seasoning may be enough.

5

Ladle into warmed shallow bowls. Sprinkle with green onions and parsley. Serve with rice.

Ingredients

Squash
 1 carnival squash, about 1-1/2 lbs (680g) [I used butternut squash]
 2 tbsp olive oil
 1 tbsp smoked paprika
Gumbo
 3 tbsp olive oil, divided
 4 inks fresh chorizo sausage, about 1 1/4 lbs (565 g), frozen 30minutes then cut into 1/2-inch (1-cm) thick rounds
 ¼ cup unsalted butter
  cup all-purpose flour
 1 cup finely diced cooking onion
 2 celery stalks, sliced 1/4-inch (5-mm) thick, about 1 cup (250mL)
 1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1/2 inch (1-cm) pieces, about 1 1/4 cups (310 mL)
 2 tbsp minced garlic
 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
 2 tbsp Cajun blackened seasoning
 4 cups vegetable broth
 1 bay leaf
 ¾ lb jumbo (21-25 count) shrimp, peeled, deveined
 2 cups baby spinach, packed
  cup thinly sliced green onions
  cup finely chopped Italian flat-leaf parsley
 Steamed long-grain rice for serving

Directions

1

Place rack in centre of oven. Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2

Halve, seed and cut squash into 1/2-inch (1-cm) cubes. Place in mixing bowl and toss with oil and smoked paprika. Place on baking sheet. Bake until just tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven.

3

Heat 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove and set aside.

4

Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil and butter. When butter has melted, whisk in flour. Cook, whisking often, until roux is dark golden, 5 to 6 minutes. Add onions, celery, peppers and 1/2 cup (125 mL) roasted squash. Sauté until vegetables have slightly softened and squash has broken down, 6 to 7 minutes. Stir in garlic, thyme, sausage and Cajun seasoning. Cook 2 minutes. Add vegetable broth and bay leaf. Raise heat to high. When it comes to a boil, reduce heat to maintain gentle simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft and gumbo has thickened, about 25 minutes. Add shrimp. Cook until shrimp are opaque, about 2 minutes. Turn off heat and stir in spinach and remaining squash. Taste for salt, though the Cajun seasoning may be enough.

5

Ladle into warmed shallow bowls. Sprinkle with green onions and parsley. Serve with rice.

Notes

Seafood & Squash Gumbo