My neighbour Joy is the kind of person who gives of herself utterly. Occasionally, she makes a big pot of something tasty and feeds family, neighbours, friends. The other night she knocked at my door with a still hot container of spicy-delicious lentils and roti.

I have made no attempt to obtain the secrets of the recipe. But Joy herself has volunteered that the stew contains lentils, butternut squash, garlic and spices. (Onions too, I feel.) And that roasting the squash together with some whole cloves of garlic before adding to the lentils makes for a better flavour.

Served here with a salad garnish and a wedge of Trini dhalpuri roti.

Thank you for this delicious food, the first cooked for me in a long, long time.