Harvest Squash Rolls Food

HARVEST SQUASH AND RICOTTA STUFFED SHELLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375° F.
• Cook the pasta shells in generously salted water according to the package directions for 7-8 minutes or just until al denté. Drain the noodles and set aside.
• While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium with the olive oil. Add the minced squashes, onion and one minced or pressed clove of garlic. Season with 1 teaspoon of the salt and pepper. Crush the thyme leaves between your fingers and sprinkle over the squash mixture, stir, and cook for 5 minutes or until the squashes are just barely becoming tender. Remove from heat and transfer to a mixing bowl to cool.
• To make the cream sauce, wipe out the skillet, add the cream, the remaining garlic clove (peel and smash it with the side of a heavy knife), nutmeg and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and bring to a low boil over medium high heat, stirring often. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 10-12 minutes or until the cream has reduced by half. Stir in 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese and taste for seasoning.
• Once the squash mixture has cooled, stir in the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the mozzarella and 1/2 cup of the parmesan cheese to the mixing bowl. Whisk the egg in a small bowl and stir it into the cheese and squash mixture until combined.
• Cover the bottom of a 9 X 12 baking dish with 1 cup of the cream mixture. Fill the pasta shells with a generous scoop of the ricotta and squash mixture and place the shells in rows until all are filled. Drizzle the rest of the cream mixture over the shells and top with the rest of the mozzarella. Cover with foil (spray with cooking spray so the cheese doesn't stick!) and bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Remove the foil and bake for 10 more minutes or until the cheese begins to brown. Serve with more Parmesan cheese and chopped flat leaf parsley if desired.

WINTER SQUASH ROLLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). In a small saucepan, cover squash cubes with water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, cool and mash.
• In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. In a large bowl, combine 5 cups flour, sugar and salt. Stir in the yeast mixture, shortening, squash and milk. Mix well. Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and supple, about 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
• Divide the dough into twelve equal pieces and form into rounds. Place the rounds in a lightly greased 13x9 inch baking pan. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled in volume, about 30 minutes.
• Bake at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH ROLLS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in milk and water. Add the butter, salt, sugar, squash and 3 cups flour; beat until smooth. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. , Punch dough down. Form into rolls; place in 2 greased 10-in. cast-iron skillets or 9-in. round baking pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. , Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.