Ultimate vegan-ball sub

Veggie, vegan or just fancy something different - the ultimate vegan-ball sub will have you dying to sink your teeth into it.

SERVES: 4 READY IN: 45 MINUTES

Ingredients

• 1 small butternut squash, peeled and cut into chunks
• 125g dried green lentils, rinsed well
• 1 large red onion, cut into wedges
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 4 Co-op demi baguettes, sliced in half
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ¼ tsp chilli flakes
• 1 small garlic clove, crushed
• 2 spring onions, roughly chopped
• 35g bread, torn
• 120g dairy free yogurt alternative
• 1/2 x 25g pack coriander, leaves only
• Hot sauce, to serve

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan180°C/Gas 6.
2. Fill 2 pans with water and bring to the boil, then add the squash to one and the green lentils to the other.
3. Boil the squash for 15 mins, until tender, and the lentils for 20 mins, also until tender. Drain both.
4. Meanwhile, arrange the onion wedges on a baking tray, drizzle with ½ tbsp of the olive oil and roast in the oven for 25 mins, until golden and tender.
5. Put the baguettes, cut-side up, in the oven for the final 5 mins of cooking time.
6. Mash the squash until smooth, using a potato masher, then add the smoked paprika, chilli flakes and season.
7. Put the lentils in a food processor, along with the garlic, spring onion and bread, then blend until smooth. Once cool enough to handle, form into 12 equal balls, using your hands.
8. Heat the remaining oil in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat. Cook the balls for about 5 mins, turning regularly, until lightly golden on all sides.
9. Spread some squash on each baguette half.
10. Top with the onion wedges and lentil balls, then dollop over the yogurt alternative.
11. Finish with the coriander and a drizzle of hot sauce.