My plans for tonight involve squash.

Tonight will be a cold, dreary October evening and I'll be spending it in my warm kitchen (standing next to the oven, with some Witches Brew). Our garden is teeming with squash - acorn and butternut - and they're quickly piling up on our counter. I'll be trying this recipe I stumbled across from my new favorite food blog, Smitten Kitchen!

Spicy squash salad with lentils and goat cheese
Ingredients:
3/4 cup black or green lentils (I'm using red lentils, because that's what we have in our house at the moment)
6 cups peeled, seeded and cubed butternut squash (1-inch cubes) (from about a 2-pound squash)
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon hot smoked Spanish paprika, or combo of paprika and chipotle powder
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
4 cups baby arugula
1 cup soft crumbled goat cheese
1/4 cup thinly sliced mint leaves
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, plus additional to taste
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 deg F. Toss squash cubes with 2 tbsp oil, cumin, paprika, and salt. Arrange on a baking sheet, single layered. Roast for 20 minutes, stir thoroughly, and roast an additional 10-15 minutes. Let cool.

Soak lentils for 10 minutes in a small bowl, and drain. Cook lentils in boiling salted water for about 30 minutes (until tender but firm). Rinse with cold water, drain, and let cool.

Combine lentils and squash with arugula, half the goat cheese, mint, vinegar, and 1 tbsp oil. Season with salt, pepper, and more vinegar if desired. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top as garnish.

The deep orange hue of winter squash clues you into its vitamin A abundance (among other healthy stuff). At a meager 82 calories per serving, squash packs a mean punch with 457% of your daily value of vitamin A. It also gives you 52% DV of vitamin C and lots of iron, potassium, and manganese:

Iron: Helps distribute oxygen all over your body. Keeps you awake and alert and helps regulate your body temperature.

Potassium: Decreases your risk of stroke, heart and kidney disease, hypertension, and helps to keep a normal water balance in your body.

Manganese: Ensures healthy bone structure and bone metabolism. Helps to absorb calcium into the body.

Stay warm this weekend! And dare I say it............. GO GREEN!