Butternut Squash With Candied Pecans Food

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH CANDIED PECANS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450ºF.
• Peel and chop butternut squash into 1" cubes.
• Chop onions into 1" pieces.
• Mix onions and squash with oil and spread in a prepared roasting pan with sides.
• Sprinkle brown sugar evenly across vegetables, then grind the nutmeg evenly over the vegetables.
• Mix gently with hands to distribute the brown sugar and nutmeg among the vegetables.
• Bake for 35-45 minutes, gently stirring a couple of times during baking.
• While squash is baking, prepare candied pecans as directed below.
• When squash is turning brown on the edges and there is no longer any liquid in the pan, remove the vegetables from the oven.
• Gently stir one-half to two-thirds (depending on how much you want to reserve for topping based on the size and shape of your serving dish) of the pecans into the squash, then place into a serving bowl. Sprinkle the remaining pecans on top of the squash and serve immediately.

SQUASH CASSEROLE WITH CRUNCHY PECAN TOPPING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Roast the squash cut side up on a baking sheet in preheated oven until the flesh is soft, about 50 minutes. Remove squash from oven and cool, then scoop out the flesh into a mixing bowl, or bowl of a food processor.
• Meanwhile, prepare the topping by mixing 2 1/2 tablespoons butter in a bowl with the brown sugar and flour until crumbly. Stir in the pecans. Set aside until needed.
• Lower oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease 11x7 inch baking dish.
• Beat or process the squash until smooth. Add the eggs, white sugar, half and half, vanilla, salt, and 2 1/2 tablespoons butter; process until well blended. Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the brown sugar topping mixture over the squash.
• Bake squash in preheated oven until topping is lightly brown, about 40 minutes.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH PECANS AND BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Halve the squash, leaving the skin on, and scoop out the seeds, then cut into 1-inch cubes; you don't need to be precise just keep the pieces uniformly small.
• Put into a roasting tin with the oil and strip about 4 stalks thyme of their leaves, sprinkling over the butternut squash. If you can't get any fresh thyme, sprinkle over dried.
• Roast in the oven for about 30 to 45 minutes or until tender.
• Once out of the oven, remove the squash to a bowl and scatter over the pecans and crumble over the cheese tossing everything together gently. Check the seasoning and add the last couple of stalks of thyme torn into small sprigs to decorate.