From The North Grove Kitchen: Mi’kmaw Goulash with Lentuk (Deer)

Enhanced Home Visitor, Natasha joined us in The North Grove kitchen to share a favourite Mi’kmaw recipe from her childhood in celebration of Mi’kmaw History Month! 

This hearty, comforting recipe can be enjoyed any time of year. You can use tia'muei (moose), lentuk (deer), or beef. 

We prepared this dish in the fall, so we featured squash as the seasonal vegetable. If you prepare this dish in spring, try it with spring peas or greens; in summertime, we recommend using corn. 

Makes: 4-6 servings  

Ingredients 

• 1 lb ground deer, moose or beef 

• 1 tbsp oil 

• 1 small onion 

• 3 cloves of garlic 

• ½ small acorn or butternut squash 

• 1 can diced tomatoes (796 ml) 

• 1 can tomato soup (284 ml) 

• 1 box elbow macaroni (450 grams) 

• 1 tbsp dried sage 

• 1 tbsp dried oregano 

• Salt and pepper to taste 

  
  

Instructions 

1. Fill a large pot ½ to ¾ full of salted water and bring to a boil.  

2. Dice onion, mince garlic, and peel and chop squash. 

3. In a medium-sized pan, heat oil over medium heat. Once hot, add onion and ground meat. Cook until ground meat is browned and onions are soft. (If using beef, strain fat.) 

4. Add garlic and cook for one minute until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside. 

5. Add squash to boiling water, after 3 minutes add macaroni and cook both squash and macaroni until soft or desired consistency. Drain and return to pot. 

6. Add ground meat and onions to pasta and squash. Add canned tomatoes, tomato soup, spices, salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Squash will blend into mixture.  

7. Bring mixture to boil, reduce and simmer for 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve and enjoy! 

If you want to share photos of your cooking or have any questions please feel free to get in touch with Marlee at mlacourciere@thenorthgrove.ca.