Fried Butternut Squash With Spicy Honey Food

BUTTERNUT SQUASH TART WITH CHILE HONEY

Steps:

• For the crust: Butter a 9-inch springform pan. Put the flour, sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a food processor and pulse to combine. Add the butter and process until thoroughly combined with no visible chunks of butter. Add the egg and pulse until the dough just starts to clump. Transfer the dough to the springform pan and press it evenly on the bottom and 1 inch up the sides. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• For the filling: Adjust an oven rack in the middle position and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Toss the butternut squash slices with the melted butter, sage, 1 tablespoon honey and 1 teaspoon salt in a large bowl.
• Sprinkle the Parmesan and breadcrumbs evenly on the bottom of the crust, then scatter over 1/2 cup of the gruyere cubes. Lay out a single layer of butternut squash slices, breaking off pieces of squash to fill any gaps. Scatter another 1/2 cup of gruyere over the squash. Top with the rest of the butternut squash slices and then the remaining 1/2 cup gruyere.
• Put the springform pan on a baking sheet and bake, until the squash can be pierced easily with a knife, about 1 hour and 40 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes. (If the crust gets too dark, cover loosely with foil.)
• Meanwhile, combine the vinegar, crushed red pepper and the remaining 2 tablespoons honey in a microwave-safe bowl large enough to contain it (the honey may boil over in the microwave). Microwave for 30 seconds to heat up the honey and infuse the chile flavor. Reserve.
• Drizzle the tart all over with the chile-infused honey and serve immediately.

HONEY ROASTED SQUASH RINGS

Steps:

• Whisk first 5 ingredients together in a large bowl.
• Halve each squash crosswise, peel & scoop out seeds.
• Cut into 1 inch thick rings & toss in honey mixture until well coated.
• At this point, you can cover & refrigerate for up to 6 hours.
• Arrange squash rings on a greased, foil lined, rimmed baking sheet & drizzle with honey mixture.
• Bake in preheated 350F oven, turning once & basting with liquid, until tender & golden- about 30 to 40 minutes.

SWEET AND SPICY ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat 400° F. and line a baking sheet with foil. Place the diced butternut squash onto the baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle on the chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Toss everything together with your hands until coated.
• Roast for 20-25 minutes or until the squash is tender. Toss the squash halfway during the cooking time. Remove the squash from the oven, drizzle with honey and toss to coat.
• Put the squash into a serving bowl and top with toasted pepitas and chopped cilantro.

COUNTRY FRIED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Combine egg and milk together in a pie plate or flat bowl.
• In a second flat bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, salt, pepper and garlic salt.
• Peel butternut squash.
• Cut a slice off the bottom of the squash and stand it securely on cutting board.
• With a sharp knife, slice peel off from top to bottom, continuing around the squash until tough peel is completely removed.
• Slice squash into 1/2 inch circles.
• dip squash slices first in the milk/egg mixture and then dredge in the flour mixture.
• Fry or saute in a frying pan or griddle in oil until golden brown on each side, about 2-3 minutes a side.

FRIED BUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH SPICY HONEY

Steps:

• Mix 1/2 cup flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt on a plate. Whisk the remaining 1 cup flour, the cornmeal, sage and 2 teaspoons salt in a large bowl. Pour the buttermilk into a medium bowl. Dredge the squash slices in the flour, dip in the buttermilk, then coat with the cornmeal mixture, shaking off any excess. Place on a rack set on a baking sheet.
• Heat about 2 inches vegetable oil in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F. Mix the honey and hot sauce in a small bowl.
• Working in batches, fry the squash, turning once, until golden brown, about 4 minutes. (Adjust the heat as needed to maintain the oil temperature.) Remove with a slotted spoon and return to the rack to drain. Season with salt. Serve hot or at room temperature with the spicy honey.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH CHIPS

Steps:

• In a small mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the salt, garlic powder, paprika, brown sugar, black pepper and cayenne. Set aside.
• Using a sharp knife, cut the tubular top portion away from the globe-shaped bottoms of both squash. Using the knife or a mandoline, shave the tops into chips. Submerge the chips in a deep container with ice water for 10 minutes (this removes any extra starch and makes the chips crispy). Strain the chips and pat dry.
• Meanwhile, using an instant-read thermometer, bring 3 inches of duck fat to 325 degrees F in a heavy gauge Dutch oven over medium heat. Working in batches, fry the chips until they are golden and crispy, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer with a fine mesh strainer to a paper-towel-lined dish. Season immediately with a sprinkle of spice mix. Repeat until all chips are fried. Transfer to a large bowl and serve.