Serves 4
1 butternut squash or pumpkin (about 800g – 1kg/13/4 – 21/4lb in weight)
1 red onion, peeled and cut into thin wedges
2 Tbsp olive oil
Salt
1 Tbsp butter
3 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
250g (9oz) pearl barley, rinsed
250ml (8fl oz) white wine
1L (13/4pt) hot vegetable stock
Small handful flat leaf parsley, chopped
75g (3oz) goat’s cheese, cut into small cubes
100g (4oz) rocket or watercress, tough stalks removed
Freshly ground black pepper
Preheat the oven to 200oC/400oF/Gas mark 6. Peel and cut the squash into approximately 2-cm (3/4in cubes). Put the squash and red onion into a roasting pan and toss with 1 Tbsp of the oil. Season generously with salt and cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring once or twice until golden and cooked.
While the pumpkin is cooking prepare the remaining ingredients.
Heat the remaining oil and the butter in a large, heavy-based saucepan and stir in the garlic and barley.
Toss to coat in the oil and butter and stir for a couple of minutes.
Add the wine, bring to the boil, and then simmer until the wine evaporates. Add a ladleful of hot stock.
Each time the liquid evaporates add another ladleful of stock until it has all been added.
Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally for 30-40 minutes.
The barley should become tender while the mixture should remain slightly soupy.
Stir in the parsley, goat’s cheese and half of the rocket, along with the pumpkin and red onion.
Season to taste and serve with the r
emaining Rocket on top