Honeyed Squash Nut Roast Cake Food

HONEYED SQUASH & NUT ROAST CAKE

Steps:

• Put the mixed nuts into the bowl of a food processor and blitz until finely chopped, then tip out into a bowl. Alternatively, roughly chop using a knife. Put the carrot, celery and onion in a frying pan. Cut the long, thin half of the squash in half lengthways or into quarters (depending on how wide it is) and slice into long, thin slices using a sharp knife or mandoline (reserve the thicker bulb half of the squash for another recipe).
• Drizzle the oil over the veg in the frying pan, then fry for 15-20 mins over a low-medium heat until golden and soft. Scrape the mixture into the chopped nuts and stir in 2 tbsp honey, the chestnuts and nut butter. Stir everything together, then season.
• Oil a 20cm springform cake tin and line the base with baking parchment. Arrange 3-5 sage leaves in the tin, face-down. Finely chop the rest of the sage leaves and add them to the nut mixture. Arrange some of the squash slices in the base of the tin, laying them neatly so the layers overlap slightly to form a spiral pattern. Drizzle over ½ tbsp of the remaining honey. Spoon in half the nut mixture, pressing it firmly into the tin with the back of a spoon, then top with another layer of squash, this time in a single layer rather than overlapping - this will make it easier to cut later. Drizzle over the rest of the honey. Spoon in the remaining nut mixture and press it in firmly with the back of a spoon. Any remaining squash will keep in the fridge for up to three days to use in tarts and quiches, or to be grilled for salads.
• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Cover the tin with foil and roast for 30 mins, then uncover and roast for another 20 mins until the top of is golden and crisp. Leave to rest for 15 mins, then invert onto a plate and cut into wedges to serve.

STUFFED HONEYNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees F.
• Toss the squash with 3 tablespoons of the oil and season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Arrange cut-side up on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until tender and browned in spots, 30 to 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, pulse the mushrooms, kale, rosemary, garlic and onion in a food processor until very finely chopped but not paste-like. Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high and cook the mushroom mixture until the vegetables are tender and beginning to brown, 10 to 12 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Add the wine and scrape up the brown bits that cling to the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon; cook until all of the liquid has evaporated. Add the rice and 1 cup water and cook until the water has evaporated. Season with salt and pepper.
• Divide the filling among the squash and mound into the cavity of each. Divide the Gruyere among the squash and sprinkle on top of the filling. Bake until the cheese is melted and browned in spots, about 10 minutes.

ROASTED HONEYNUT SQUASH CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease two 6 inch cake pans and line the bottom of each with a round of parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, mix together sugar, egg, buttermilk, squash puree, vegetable oil, and vanilla.
• Into a separate bowl, sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. Whisk the flour mixture to make sure spices are well distributed, then add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
• Fold the dry ingredients into the wet, being careful not to over-mix. The mixture may still look a little lumpy.
• Use a scale to divide the batter equally between the two cake pans. Bake until the cake is firm and springs back to the touch, about 25 minutes.
• When the cake is done, let it rest in the pans for 5 minutes. Then run a knife around the edges of the cakes and turn them out onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
• When the cake is completely cool, frost with your favorite cream cheese icing.