Bichak Recipe from Afghanistan: A Delicious Pastry Filled with Butternut Squash and Ground Beef

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 packet (0.25 oz, 7 g) dry yeast
• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 3 tbsp corn oil
• 1 egg, separated
• 1 egg yolk, beaten with 0.5 tsp corn oil
• 1/4 cup corn oil
• 2 medium onions (2 cups), chopped
• 1 cup hot water
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 lb (454 g) butternut squash, calabaza, or pumpkin, peeled and cut into 0.5-inch pieces
• 2 tbsp corn oil
• 3 medium onions (2 cups), chopped
• 1 lb (454 g) ground beef or lamb
• 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1 lb (454 g) farmer's cheese
• 1 egg yolk, beaten
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 cup strawberry, grape or prune jam (lekach)
• 2 tbsp bread crumbs