Daily menu, October 23: chestnut squash roast, lechon kawali and chocolate chestnut cake

Friday 23 October 2026 15:00 - Juliette Hess
Daily menu, October 23: chestnut squash roast, lechon kawali and chocolate chestnut cake

This October 23 daily menu brings autumn ingredients and contrasting textures together in a satisfying three-course meal. The starter combines sweet butternut squash, onions, white beans and chestnuts in a warmly seasoned roast, finished with a crisp breadcrumb topping. Chestnuts return in the dessert, linking the courses with a gently nutty, seasonal note.

For the main course, lechon kawali offers a savory change of pace: the recipe pairs deep-fried pork belly with ginisang kalabasa, or squash soup. The menu moves from a vegetable-rich opening to a hearty Filipino-inspired centerpiece, then closes with an extra-fondant chocolate and chestnut cream cake. Made with just four listed ingredients and no flour, the cake brings a melting center and a thin, crisp chocolate crust. Together, these recipes make a distinctive lunch or dinner, with chestnut and squash creating a thread between the savory courses and dessert.

Caramelized onion butternut squash roast with chestnuts

This seasonal starter layers sweet onions and tender cubes of butternut squash with chestnuts and white beans for a generous, vegetable-forward roast. Olive oil, thyme, coriander and freshly grated nutmeg give the ingredients a fragrant, warming character, while vegetable broth helps bring the roast together. A separate crumb topping of breadcrumbs, sage and a pinch of cayenne adds a crisp, savory finish. It is a fitting opening for an autumn menu, and the chestnuts create a natural link to the dessert that follows.
Caramelized onion butternut squash roast with chestnutsRecipe Caramelized onion butternut squash roast with chestnuts

This Carmelized Onion and Butternut Squash Roast with Chestnuts combines some of the very best of what the season has to offer.

Lechon kawali and ginisang kalabasa

The main dish pairs lechon kawali, or deep-fried pork belly, with ginisang kalabasa, identified in the recipe title as squash soup. The provided ingredient list focuses on pork belly simmered with water, chopped white onion, whole peppercorns and salt, with oil also listed. That simple seasoning keeps the attention on the pork and makes this a savory centerpiece between the vegetable-rich starter and the sweet finish. The squash soup gives the pairing a connection to the butternut squash and chestnuts featured elsewhere in this autumn menu.
Lechon kawali (deep fried pork belly) and ginisang kalabasa (squash soup)Recipe Lechon kawali (deep fried pork belly) and ginisang kalabasa (squash soup)

Saute garlic and onion.

Extra-fondant chocolate and chestnut cream cake

This four-ingredient cake brings together chocolate and chestnut cream for a rich, uncomplicated dessert. Eggs and butter complete the short ingredient list, while the recipe description highlights a melting interior and a thin, crunchy chocolate crust. With no flour among the listed ingredients, it offers a different take on the familiar chocolate cake. Serve it hot or cold, as described, to finish the menu with deep cocoa flavor and another seasonal chestnut note. Its simplicity also makes it an appealing choice when you want a striking dessert without a long ingredient list.
Ultra-gooey chocolate and chestnut cream cake with just 4 ingredientsRecipe Ultra-gooey chocolate and chestnut cream cake with just 4 ingredients

We found THE recipe for an ultra-easy chocolate cake that requires just 4 ingredients (yes, really!). Gluten-free and made without flour, this little wonder combines two flavors we love: chocolate and chestnut cream , for an incredibly...

Frequently asked questions

What makes the starter suitable for an autumn menu?
It combines butternut squash, chestnuts, onions, thyme and nutmeg, with a crisp sage breadcrumb topping.

What ingredients are listed for the lechon kawali?
The list includes pork belly, water, white onion, whole peppercorns, salt and oil.

Are ingredients for the ginisang kalabasa soup included?
The recipe title mentions squash soup, but the supplied ingredient list does not specify its ingredients. Check the full recipe before shopping for the soup.

How many ingredients are in the chocolate chestnut cake?
Four are listed: eggs, chestnut cream, chocolate and butter.

Does the cake contain flour?
No flour appears in the supplied ingredients, and the recipe description presents it as a flour-free cake.

Can the cake be served warm or cold?
Yes. The recipe description suggests enjoying it either hot or cold.

Shopping list for the complete menu

Caramelized onion butternut squash roast with chestnuts
  • 1 pound onions
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 pound fresh chestnuts
  • 2 pounds butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
  • 1 15oz can white beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 tea spoons dried thyme
  • 1 1/2 tea spoons ground coriander
  • 1/2 tea spoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1 1/2 tea spoons salt
  • Pepper
  • 1/2 cup vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs
  • 2 table spoons olive oil
  • 1/2 tea spoon dried rubbed sage
  • Pinch of ground cayenne
  • 1/2 tea spoon salt
  • Pepper
Lechon kawali (deep fried pork belly) and ginisang kalabasa (squash soup)
  • 250 g Pork Belly
  • 4 cups water
  • 1/2 white onion, chopped
  • 1 tbsp whole peppercorns
  • salt
  • oil
Extra fondant chocolate and chestnut cream cake with only 4 ingredients
  • 2 eggs
  • 13 oz chestnut cream
  • 5 oz chocolate
  • 3.5 oz butter
Juliette HessJuliette Hess
I have been creating culinary content for Petitchef since 2017.
I love travelling and discovering new dishes, trying out new food trends and exploring new restaurants.
I’m a huge fan of pasta and noodles in all their forms ❤ from udon noodles to tagliatelle, I love cooking them and even making them from scratch!
I’m currently preparing, filming and photographing your next recipe, and I hope you’ll enjoy it!

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