paying attention
Recipe: kabocha nimono
Kaweah began having trouble hiking very far two summers ago. Because of that, we scaled back on her backcountry outings and assumed it was old age. But this winter, we’ve been bringing her along on some hikes and skis, and she’s been improving. It seems the more we do, the stronger she is getting. I’m guessing that like me, she prefers the cold weather exercise. We’re careful not to overdo it though. Kaweah is the type of dog who will go go go up to the moment she’s ready to drop.
hiking at chautauqua near the boulder flatirons
I usually don’t bring Kaweah down to Boulder with me because the drive stresses her out and it’s usually too warm down there. Jeremy always assures me she’s much happier at home in the mountains. The other day I had some business in town and then a couple of hours to kill while Jeremy wrapped things up at his office – so I brought Kaweah. It was nice and cool (right at freezing), the way we like it! I took her to Chautauqua Park where the iconic Boulder Flatirons stand watch. The last time I was there with Kaweah was just before my final chemo infusion in May 2008.
much happier now
Talk about happy. I mean both of us. After thirteen years of “Kaweah, come!” or “Leave it!” or “Drop it!” or “No pull!” she has finally got it (for the most part). Or maybe she’s just too old to fight anymore? She’s always been a sweet girl, but she’s actually becoming a little bit of a good girl too. I just want her to be a happy girl, and if I can be happy too, that’s a bonus.
always in the moment, she lives for the skiing
All of this increased activity has been great for Kaweah’s strength and stamina, although taking a thirteen year old dog out isn’t much of a workout for me. So I wind up doing double duty – and it feels terrific. We are both improving. I feel such a strong connection with Kaweah.
feathery clouds at sunset
color and texture
A delightful cold spell delivered seven inches of fresh fluffy powder at our local hill this past Friday, which was skied with much whooping and hollering before the winds came and blew it into Kansas. You have to grab it by the hojos, kids. I am totally in winter mode over here. Winter mode involves snow sports, yes, but it also includes hot foods to warm your belly after engaging in said snow sports.
sugar, mirin, soy sauce, dashi, kabocha squash
My first exposure to kabocha squash was in the sushi bar. A thin slice was tempura fried and included in the vegetable tempura medley. The squash was my favorite because it had a soft texture and a slight sweetness that played so well against the dipping sauce. I always thought it was a sweet potato. It’s actually a Japanese pumpkin.
scoop the seeds out
cutting slices
or you can dice the pumpkin
Years later, I was visiting my grandma and as usual, took her to the Asian markets to get groceries. She scrutinized the produce while I followed her, playing defense against all of the other Chinese patrons shoving carts into one another. Grandma picked up a short, fat, green squash and said in Chinese, “You should eat this, it is good for you.” She handed it to me to put in her cart. The following day, she cooked it in a soup for us to eat – lovely and warming.
mix the simmering sauce
pour over the squash
simmer until tender
I quite enjoy the Japanese preparation – a simple mix of mirin, soy sauce, sugar, and dashi poured over the squash and simmered until the pumpkin is soft. And you don’t even have to peel the skin off (this is a plus in my book). Don’t forget to ladle some of the broth over the pieces. A simple garnish of julienned fresh ginger and bonito flakes to finish makes for a nice presentation. Most of all, I love to settle down with a bowl of the kabocha squash hot off the stove, to warm myself up after playing in the snow. It’s satisfying without being overly heavy and that’s what I’m looking for these days.
serve as slices
or diced
Kabocha Nimono
[print recipe]
from here
1 kabocha squash (about 2 pounds)
2 cups dashi stock
4-5 tbsps mirin
2 tbsps soy sauce or shoyu
1 tbsp sugar
salt to taste
fresh ginger, julienned (for garnish)
Wash the kobacha, slice in half and remove the seeds. Trim strips of the rind if you like (I prefer to leave it intact) and cut the squash into 1-inch thick slices or into 1-inch cubes. Place the kobacha skin side down in a saucepan large enough to accommodate everything. Mix the dashi, mirin, soy sauce, sugar, and salt together. Pour the liquid over the squash. It should come two-thirds of the way up on the squash. Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat and then reduce to a simmer. Cover the saucepan with a lid and simmer for 10-15 minutes until the squash is tender. Take care not to overcook the squash or else it will go to mush. Serve in bowl with liquid spooned over the squash and garnish with some julienned fresh ginger.
January 30th, 2012 at 5:14 am
Awww so glad your puppy finally got to go for a long, well deserved, walk! This squash also sounds delightful. Perfect for winter!
January 30th, 2012 at 5:27 am
Love the photo of you & Kaweah, and am glad for you that she’s learning to behave. I was learning last week to walk a friend’s dog (they’re from Germany…I needed to learn the lingo & signals!), & had to let go of her leash just before she pulled me flat on my face into the mud or the creek! I LOVE kabocha squash & can never find it at either of my regular grocery stores. Thanks for the tip to check the Asian market!
January 30th, 2012 at 6:41 am
I always love seeing Kaweah’s sweet face :)
I have never tasted kabocha squash, I’m intrigued. The truth of the matter though is that I’m not at all familiar with Japanese food. But, I have a new friend who is Japanese and she promised she’ll let me in on the secrets of her cooking.
In the meantime, I’m left craving your wonderful dish.
January 30th, 2012 at 7:03 am
she’s a good girl!
best bud.
January 30th, 2012 at 7:54 am
I always love posts that include photos of Kaweah; she reminds me of my childhood dog so much! Also am loving the Japanese pumpkin! My family usually either cooks it slowly over a low heat with oil and garlic, or we make it into soup with some tomato to bring out an even sweeter flavor. Your recipe will be a nice way to try it in a new way.
January 30th, 2012 at 7:19 pm
So happy to see Kaweah doing her ski thing! She’s so beautiful!
January 30th, 2012 at 10:47 pm
That is just a fantastic picture of you two, the happiness shines through so bright in both of your eyes! I’ve never had kabocha squash, but this looks so, so good.
January 30th, 2012 at 11:17 pm
Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous- you make the cold weather look so beautiful and enjoyable! We have kabocha squash here at Asian stores in Chicago but I’ve never made it the way you did here- very interesting, unique way to make it.
January 31st, 2012 at 12:13 am
That looks a lot better than the way I was told to cook the one I had. I had such hopes for it, but it just tasted nasty………and I LOVE squash and pumpkin. It was sad.
You and Kaweah look fantastic. I always think of my Grandog Rowdy when I see her picture, and vice versa. Rowdy brought me a “I love my Grandog” magnet on Saturday. Of course, she was modest as usual and said it was her mom’s idea, but I don’t believe it for a minute! 8-)
xo
January 31st, 2012 at 5:41 am
the love on your face for your girl and the contentment on K’s face is absolutely beautiful. i could write about the food, but this is just for K and J and you…keep giving us those family photos!
January 31st, 2012 at 8:36 am
Love, LOVE your sweet K! Adorable! Also, LOVE your blog and recipes of course! My hubby and I had beebimbop this past weekend! Diagnosis Delicious!!
January 31st, 2012 at 8:40 am
Ha! I must have had my nephew on my mind to spell bibimbap like the children’s book!
January 31st, 2012 at 9:13 am
Kaweah looks like a happy girl to me…….and you look extremely happy!
January 31st, 2012 at 9:41 am
I’m expecting and nothing tastes good to me lately, but this actually sounds totally appealing. I will try to find a kabocha squash! I was obsessed with hubbard squashes this past fall. yum.
January 31st, 2012 at 11:36 am
So good to know we can wrap some hope around making our canine companions stronger as they age — I will remember that as my trail partner Nash puts on the next several years. Right now he is unstoppable and it’s what he lives for. :) Kaweah is a beautiful example of a dog who finds her peace in the outdoors and was lucky enough to be aligned with owners who do the same. Isn’t our connection to the animal kingdom precious? The squash looks delish… I’m inspired to make soup! Don’t know if I’ll find the kabocha in my little town but I’ll improvise if not. Thanks Jen.
January 31st, 2012 at 8:50 pm
I get a warm & fuzzy feeling every time I see a picture of your beautiful girl. She truly is the most beautiful black lab; I’ll bet my yellow lab would agree with me. ;)
I need to score me a couple kabocha. I’m not sure that I’ve ever seen one. It will be fun to search my markets.
January 31st, 2012 at 8:59 pm
I can’t decide what I enjoy more, your recipes or your stories including Kaweah. Good thing I don’t have too! One question, what type of dashi stock did you use?
January 31st, 2012 at 11:38 pm
So happy to hear Kaweah is doing better and getting more energy! :o)
February 1st, 2012 at 12:23 pm
Thanks, as I have way too many of those squash in my root cellar. Can’t wait to try this new recipe.
February 3rd, 2012 at 2:35 pm
I remember having somethinkg similar to this as a child. The dish looks wonderful.
February 5th, 2012 at 8:20 pm
I’ve been really uncreative with pumpkin. This is a good recipe for me to try!
February 6th, 2012 at 10:25 am
Katrina – she was pretty happy too :)
Kristin – Kaweah used to be a bad dog (she shuts off her ears!), but I’m loving how sweet and relatively “calm” she is now ;)
Magda – I don’t know all that much about Japanese food other than what I have had in restaurants, but this… this I love. I hope you enjoy the squash!
vanillasugarblog – thanks :)
Yvonne – the oil and garlic sounds great. I’ll have to try it – thanks!
Ruth – thank you!
April – :) xo
Yvonne – you can probably get all manner of wonderful international foods in Chicago! I’m jealous :)
Linda – aren’t pups the best?
swan – xo
Cindy – you are so sweet, thank you!
Jull – xoxo
salena – ooh, good luck with that. I know that it’s like to have your tastes all wankered (not via pregnancy, but chemo, which I guess is sorta similar…)
Brynnie – absolutely. Thank you!
Margie – all pups are beautiful and sweet. I just love looking into their eyes.
Nicole – so I normally find dashi concentrate in a jar in my local Asian grocery store, but that day they didn’t have anything but this jar of dashi powder. Add water and it’s dashi. So that’s what I used. I’m about as in the dark on that one as the next person!
Shoshanna – thanks!
farmerpam – dang, I wish I could help you use those squash in your root cellar! ;)
Joy – thank you.
Mrs. Ergül – I hope you like it!
February 6th, 2012 at 9:05 pm
This gives me hope that maybe a little extra exercise will be good for our guys, who are visibly slowing down :( (Peanut, almost 10 and Spike, almost 12). Thanks!
February 7th, 2012 at 8:53 pm
Better late than never, I got to your blog on Kabucha squash, which, happily is my new favorite vegie. Thanks Jen for the great new way to have it. Just have to try to find dashi and the other ingredients here in this wee ski town! By the way, anyone else notice that those wonderful cloud pics and the squash are the same most enticing, pleasing colour?
February 15th, 2013 at 9:21 pm
Mmmmm … delicious! Thank you for sharing this recipe! We always have kabocha in our markets and friendsʻ gardens here in Hawaii and this is a great way to prepare it!
April 4th, 2014 at 9:25 am
hi, is the instruction correct about adding 2 cups of dashi stock? i have the same dashi as shown in your picture and that bottle is not even 3/4 of a cup, if that. please clarify! i’m hoping it’s 2 TSPs or 2 TBSPs!
April 11th, 2014 at 12:16 am
kristen – sorry for the late response! it’s 2 cups of the dashi after it has been diluted. The bottle is the dashi concentrate. Follow the directions on the concentrate to make 2 cups of stock and you’re good to go.