Guinean Peanut Sauce with Butternut Squash

1 butternut squash - peeled, seeded, and cut into 2-inch cubes

½ cup natural peanut butter

1 small tomato, chopped

1 cup warm water

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large yellow onion, thickly sliced lengthwise

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 bay leaf

ground black pepper to taste

salt, or to taste

2 teaspoons lemon juice

Place the butternut squash in a saucepan with water to cover. Bring to a boil and then simmer, covered, until the squash is tender, about 20 minutes. Drain, reserving the cooking liquid.

Combine the peanut butter, tomato, and warm water in a bowl. The authentic way to prepare this is to squish it together by hand – but a food processor works, too.

Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the onion slices and cook for 2 minutes. Add the peanut butter mixture, the minced garlic, the bay leaf, black pepper, and about 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir to combine, then bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat to low and simmer the peanut sauce, adding the reserved cooking liquid as needed, for 15 minutes. The consistency should be similar to a thick soup.

Stir in the butternut squash and simmer for an additional 15 minutes. Add the lemon juice, and taste to adjust the seasoning.