Quince, pumpkin, eggplant, quinoa salad – Little Big H

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  • 1/4 cup olive oil + extra for roasting pumpkin
  • 1/4 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 1 large quince
  • 1 Lebanese eggplant , chopped into 1/2 inch dice
  • 1/4 jap pumpkin , pealed and chopped into small 1 inch dice
  • 1 green capsicum , chopped
  • 1 small onion , diced
  • 1 tomato , diced
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
  • pinch of salt
  • Handful of chopped parsley
  • Pomegranate seeds to garnish
  • Preheat oven to 180 degrees C (350 degrees F). Cook the quinoa according to the packet directions and then spread on a tray to cool; refrigerate until ready to use.
  • Wash and dry quince and place on a baking tray, bake for 1 hour, or until soft. While that is cooking, spread pumpkin on a baking tray and drizzle with olive oil, toss to coat, and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until tender (you want it to hold its shape)
  • Heat the 1/4 cup of olive oil in a large frying pan over high heat and cook the eggplant until golden and tender. Using a slotted spoon, scoop out eggplant and drain on paper towel. Now add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes or until soft. Stir in the capsicum, bay leaves, and cumin and reduce heat to low-medium; cover and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Meanwhile, peel and dice the roasted quince and cut into 1 inch dice.
  • Add the tomato and tomato paste to the capsicum mixture and cook for a few minutes. Add the roasted pumpkin, quince, eggplant, quinoa and parsley and gently mix together. Season to taste, add to a large bowl and garnish with pomegranate seeds

Increase the cumin to a couple of teaspoons if you enjoy the taste. I kept it very mild for the little dude…