Heirloom Squash Salad With Pepita Purée And Pickled Shallots Food

MAPLE-ROASTED DELICATA SQUASH SALAD WITH SPICED PEPITAS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Trim and discard both ends of the delicata squash and cut in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, remove the seeds from the squash and discard. Place the squash cut-side down and slice crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick half-moons. Toss the squash with the maple syrup, 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon of the chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper on a rimmed baking sheet until evenly coated. Spread evenly and roast until tender and beginning to brown, 20 to 22 minutes.
• While the squash roasts, heat 1 teaspoon of the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the pepitas, hot smoked paprika, remaining 1/4 teaspoon chili powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring, until the pepitas begin to pop, become fragrant and start to brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer the spiced pepitas to a small heatproof bowl.
• Whisk together the sherry vinegar, shallot, Dijon, garlic, 1/8 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a small bowl until smooth and combined. Slowly whisk in the remaining 4 tablespoons olive oil until emulsified. Taste and adjust the seasoning, if needed.
• Toss the frisée with both lettuces in a large serving bowl. Add the majority of the spiced pepitas, pomegranate seeds and goat cheese crumbles, reserving some of each for garnish. Evenly drizzle the dressing around the rim of the bowl. Toss to coat evenly. Add the roasted squash and toss to combine. Garnish with the remaining pepitas, pomegranate seeds and goat cheese and serve.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH PEPITAS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the seeds and boil for 10 minutes. Drain and dry on a paper-towel-lined baking sheet for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Pat the seeds dry with a paper towel once more. Dump and scatter the seeds onto a baking sheet and toss with the oil, some salt and the seasoning if using. Arrange the seeds in a single layer. Bake, stirring every 5 minutes, until puffy and light golden brown, 15 to 17 minutes (you will also hear them pop in the oven). Let cool on the baking sheet.

GREEN SALAD WITH PICKLED SHALLOTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet. Bake until toasted, 6 to 7 minutes. Let cool.
• Make the pickled shallot: Combine the vinegar, honey and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until hot, about 30 seconds. Add the shallot and let sit 15 to 20 minutes.
• Combine the lettuces and radicchio in a large bowl. Remove the shallot from the pickling liquid and add to the salad along with the toasted walnuts. Whisk the sour cream, olive oil and mustard into the pickling liquid; season with pepper. Drizzle over the salad, season with salt and pepper and toss.

HEIRLOOM SQUASH SALAD WITH PEPITA PURéE AND PICKLED SHALLOTS

Steps:

• Make the pepita purée: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Toss the pepitas with 1 teaspoon of the olive oil and roast until evenly browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
• Set aside 2 tablespoons of the cooled pepitas and place remaining pepitas in a blender with 3/4 cup vegetable stock. Purée, drizzling in the remaining olive oil. Add lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste. Purée again, adding more broth if necessary for a consistency that is slightly thinner than tomato paste.
• Cook the shallots: Bring a large saucepan of lightly salted water to a simmer. Meanwhile, in another large saucepan, combine the vinegar, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, bay leaf, star anise and red pepper flakes. Bring the vinegar mixture to a boil, reduce heat to low and cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Prepare a large bowl of ice water. Blanch the shallots in the simmering water for 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to the bowl of ice water until cooled, then drain well.
• Add the shallots to the vinegar mixture and simmer for 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl and allow to cool. Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 week; bring to room temperature before using.
• Make the squash: Heat oven to 450 degrees. Fill a large pot halfway with lightly salted water and set over high heat to bring to a simmer. Prepare a large bowl of ice water. Spread paper towels across two baking sheets and set aside.
• Using one type of squash at a time, blanch in the simmering water until tender but not falling apart. The delicata and butternut squash may take about 2 minutes; the kabocha may take slightly longer. Be careful not to overcook. As soon as the squash are blanched, remove with tongs or a slotted ladle and plunge into the ice water. When they have cooled, transfer to paper towels. Pat the squash with paper towels and allow to dry well; they will not brown when roasted if the surfaces are not dry.
• Spread all the squash on 2 large baking sheets and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with oil and rub the surfaces to coat well. Roast until the squash starts to color, 5 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, spread the pepita purée on a large platter or individual plates, creating an even layer about 1/8-inch thick.
• Transfer the roasted squash to the platter or plates on top of the purée, arranging it loosely to show off the different shapes. Disperse a cup of the drained pickled shallots among the squash. Garnish with the remaining pepitas, and serve warm.