Butternut and Leek Casserole

This next dish that I created is a butternut casserole that is absolutely delicious.  The ingredients do not sound like they would taste good together but this is quite delicious.  My mother-in-law and my friend Anne, both had some and thought it was quite delicious as well.  You can really use whatever veggies you want with this.  So experiment and let me know how it comes out.

Butternut, Leek and Tomato Casserole

Ingredients ;
2 medium butternut squash
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 leeks
1 pound tomatoes
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 1/2 cups coconut milk
1/2 cup rolled oats
2 slices of bread
1/4 cup of Earth Balance
salt
pepper

Cut the butternut squash in half and scoop out the seeds.  Place in a pan large enough to hold all four halves.  Pour about an 1/2 inch of water into the pan along with the squash halves with the skin side facing up.  Bake these at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes or until you can easily stick a fork through the skin.  Let the squash cook through before proceeding to the next step so the squash has enough time to cool for handling when needed.

Once the squash is done dice the leeks into small pieces.  You can just slice it if you would like but it is harder to eat that way.  Heat the oil in a saute pan over low to medium heat.  Once heated up add the leeks and cook until nice and tender and slightly brown. 

While the leeks are sauteing you can dice up the tomatoes and set aside.

When the squash is cooked enough to handle scoop out the squash and place in a 2 quart casserole dish.  Then mix in the leeks, tomatoes, and ground cumin.  You can add more cumin.  It is up to your taste.  I found this to be just enough.

Once that is nicely mixed stir in the coconut milk. 

Bake covered in a 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes. 

While this is baking, toast the slices of bread until nice and brown.  Then process the oats and the bread slices in a food processor until small crumbs.  Melt the Earth Balance and add to the processor while processing. 

After the casserole has cooked for the 30 minutes sprinkle the crumbs over the top and cook for another 15 minutes or until toasted to your liking.