British

Squash & Nigella Seed Soda Bread

by:
March  2, 2022
5
3 Ratings
Squash & Nigella Seed Soda Bread
Photo by Laura Edwards
  • Prep time 30 minutes
  • Cook time 1 hour 10 minutes
  • makes 1 large loaf or 2 smaller ones
Author Notes

Some breads I love because they require your time and attention. They need your whole day, proofing, resting, folding, and shaping. There are days when I need that. But there are times when I want the taste and smell of fresh bread a bit sooner, and that’s where soda bread comes in. If you panic at the thought of kneading, then this is the bread for you, as the less it’s handled, the better. There’s such a beauty in the ease with which this comes together with simple ingredients, providing you with good bread quickly, without compromising on flavor.

This is best eaten on the same day with butter, or it also makes the perfect bread to dip into a hearty soup.

Recipe excerpted with permission from A Good Day to Bake by Benjamina Ebuehi, published by Quadrille, March 2022. —Benjamina Ebuehi

What You'll Need
Watch This Recipe
Squash & Nigella Seed Soda Bread
Ingredients
  • 350 grams (12 ounces) butternut squash, peeled
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon chile flakes
  • 2 teaspoons flaky sea salt
  • 350 milliliters (12 fluid ounces, 1½ cups) buttermilk
  • 250 grams (9 ounces, scant 2 cups) plain (all-purpose) flour, plus extra for dusting
  • 250 grams (9 ounces, scant 2 cups) wholemeal (whole-wheat) flour
  • 2 teaspoons nigella (black onion) seeds, plus extra to finish
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
Directions
  1. Heat the oven to 210°C (190°C fan/400°F/gas mark 6).
  2. Chop the butternut squash into 2-centimeter (¾-inch) chunks and place on a baking sheet.
  3. Drizzle with the olive oil and add the cumin, paprika, chile flakes, and 1 teaspoon of the salt. Toss with your hands to make sure the squash is evenly coated in the spices.
  4. Roast the squash for 25 to 30 minutes, turning halfway, until cooked through. Place the squash into a jug or bowl and mash with a fork. Pour in the buttermilk and stir to combine.
  5. In a large bowl, mix together the flours, nigella seeds, bicarbonate of soda, and the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt. Pour in the buttermilk and squash mixture and stir with a table knife until you get a shaggy dough. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, give it just a couple of quick kneads to bring it together, and shape into a mound (or two, if making smaller loaves). You’re not trying to smooth it out, so try not to overwork it.
  6. Dust a baking sheet with flour or line with baking paper. Place the dough onto the sheet and use a sharp knife to make a deep cross on top, about 4 centimeters (1½ inches) deep. Scatter a few more nigella seeds over the top and bake for 45 to 50 minutes until well risen and the base of the loaf sounds hollow when tapped. (If you’re making two smaller loaves, bake for 25 to 30 minutes.) Transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool before slicing.
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6 Reviews

chezjenne
chezjenne March 21, 2022
I made this on St Patrick’s Day and it turned out GREAT, thank you! I have some precious persimmon pulp that I used instead of the squash. I used nigella seeds and caraway seeds, and added golden raisins. The bread was dark and sweet and perfect. Thanks again for a great recipe!
 
Joann
Joann March 22, 2022
Great idea with the caraway seeds and the raisins. I had to educate myself on persimmons they are very expensive in the states, amazon does carry them. Interesting.
 
Maggie E.
Maggie E. June 22, 2022
love the idea of caraway seeds and sultanas.
 
Joann
Joann March 14, 2022
Looks interesting. I wouldn't bother peeling and cutting the butternut squash in cubes. Instead, I would just cut in half, spread olive oil season with salt and pepper and cook at 400 F, skin up. So, I will make some Butternut squash soup at the same time. I'm going to try need some wheat flour and nigella.
 
J
J March 14, 2022
Agree re: skipping the cubing-no need. And I'm going to use fennel seeds instead of nigella.
 
Joann
Joann March 15, 2022
If you have a Indian store nearby nigella seeds go by the name of Kallonji seeds. Glad after I asked for Nigella seeds, I said onion seeds.