Lemon Maple Squash Food

LEMON SUMMER SQUASH BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• Grease and flour 2 regular loaf pans or 4 mini pans.
• Mix butter, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest and vanilla until well blended.
• Add eggs one at a time and once all are incorporated beat for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
• Sift flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Add dry ingredients to wet mixture and mix thoroughly.
• Add squash and stir just to blend.
• Pour into prepared pans and bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes for small loaf pans or 1 hour for regular size loaf pans.
• Allow the pan to cool; remove the bread and place top down on a serving plate (makes for a nice presentation for the glaze and lemons).
• Make the Roasted Lemons
• Cook lemon slices in a medium saucepan of boiling water 2 minutes to remove bitterness. Drain and pat dry.
• Gently toss lemon slices with sugar, and 1 Tbsp. oil in a medium bowl. Spread out on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake until lemons are no longer wet and only slightly colored, 15-20 minutes. Let cool.
• Make the Glaze
• Combine the melted butter and powdered sugar and stir until smooth; add the lemon juice and lemon zest and stir to combine.
• Add water or milk if necessary to get the right consistency.
• Pour the glaze over the top; covering it completely and letting excess dribble down the sides.
• Arranged sweet, roasted lemons on top.
• Serve warm or at room temperature.

SPICY CARAMELIZED SQUASH WITH LEMON AND HAZELNUTS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees. Cut the squash in half lengthwise. Remove pulp and seeds, if you like. Continue to cut squash into 1 1/2-inch wedges.
• Toss squash on a rimmed baking sheet with olive oil, maple syrup, paprika and red-pepper flakes. Season with kosher salt and pepper, and roast, turning each piece once, until both sides are evenly browned and squash is completely tender, 40 to 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, toast hazelnuts in a small skillet over medium heat, tossing frequently until they're evenly browned, about the color of a good piece of toast, and smell almost like popcorn, 4 to 6 minutes.
• Remove from oven and transfer squash to a large serving platter. Drizzle with olive oil and a bit more maple syrup. Sprinkle with hazelnuts, flaky salt and more black pepper. Zest lemon over everything and halve lemon to squeeze over before serving.

LEMON-MAPLE BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Halve squash lengthwise; discard seeds. Place squash in an ungreased 13x9-in. baking dish, cut side down. Add water., Bake, covered, until squash is tender, 50-60 minutes. Cool slightly. Scoop out pulp and place in a large bowl. Add remaining ingredients; beat until smooth.

LEMON-MAPLE SQUASH

Steps:

• Slice 4 pounds butternut or calabaza squash into thick wedges and remove the seeds. Place cut-side up in a baking dish. Combine 1/3 cup maple syrup, 1/3 cup water, the zest and juice of 1 lemon, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, and a pinch each of salt and pepper; pour over the squash and dot with 4 tablespoons butter. Bake 20 minutes at 350, then flip the squash and bake until caramelized and tender, 25 more minutes, basting halfway through.
• Calories: 161; Total Fat: 6 grams; Saturated Fat: 4 grams; Protein: 2 grams; Total carbohydrates: 29 grams; Sugar: 11 grams; Fiber: 3.5 grams; Cholesterol: 15 milligrams; Sodium: 46 milligrams

LEMONY ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Wash the squash; cut in half lengthwise; remove and discard the seeds and membrane.
• Cut each half crosswise into 1/2 inch slices, discarding ends.
• Place slices in a large skillet.
• Add 1 cup water; bring to boil.
• Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until or until tender.
• Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine sugar and remaining 2 tablespoons water.
• Cook over medium heat until sugar melts and syrup is golden, stirring occasionally.
• Remove from heat; carefully add lemon juice (it will sizzle), butter, salt and pepper.
• Cook and stir over low heat until butter melts.
• Place, squash on a serving plate and top with syrup.

COD WITH MISO-BUTTERNUT SQUASH SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium. Cook shallot, garlic, and ginger, stirring often, until shallot is softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add miso and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add squash, salt, maple syrup (if using), and 4 cups water and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover pot. Cook until squash is very tender, 20-25 minutes.
• Carefully purée squash and cooking liquid with an immersion blender until smooth. (Alternatively, you can carefully use a standard blender and work in 2 batches, keeping a towel over the lid and transferring to a medium bowl as you go.) Do ahead: Purée can be made 3 days ahead. Transfer to an airtight container; cover and chill.
• Bring squash purée to a simmer over medium heat (return to same pot if you puréed in a standard blender). Season cod lightly with salt. Reduce heat to low and place cod in sauce (it should be completely covered). Cover pot and cook cod, turning over halfway through, until fish is opaque throughout and flakes easily with a fork, 15-17 minutes. Remove pot from heat and gently stir lemon juice into sauce.
• Divide rice among bowls and ladle cod and sauce over. Top with cilantro and serve with chili crisp and lemon wedges for squeezing over.

LEMON-MAPLE ZUCCHINI BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Grease 9" x 5" loaf pan and set aside.
• Beat the eggs with an electric mixer for 2 minutes.
• Gradually add the maple syrup, oil, vanilla, and lemon zest.
• Stir in the zucchini.
• Combine the unbleached and wheat flours, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
• Make a well in the center, then stir in the zucchini mixture.
• Blend just until smooth, then turn into the prepared pan.
• Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Cool in the pan for 5 to 10 minutes, then remove and cool completely on a wire rack.

MISO-BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium. Cook shallot, garlic, and ginger, stirring often, until shallot is softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add miso and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add squash, salt, maple syrup (if using), and 4 cups water and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover pot. Cook until squash is very tender, 20-25 minutes.
• Carefully purée squash and cooking liquid with an immersion blender until smooth. (Alternatively, you can carefully use a standard blender and work in 2 batches, keeping a towel over the lid and transferring to a medium bowl as you go.) Do ahead: Purée can be made 3 days ahead. Transfer to an airtight container; cover and chill.
• Bring squash purée to a simmer over medium heat (return to same pot if you puréed in a standard blender). Stir in lemon juice; taste and season with more salt if needed.
• Divide soup among bowls and top with cilantro, chili crisp, and peanuts. Serve with lemon wedges for squeezing over.

ROASTED KABOCHA SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Cut the squashes in half horizontally. Scoop out the seeds and discard. Dice the preserved lemon rind.
• Place the squash halves, cut side up, on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle the flesh with olive oil, salt, pepper, diced preserved lemon rind, and a squeeze of lemon. Roast uncovered in the oven, 1 hour.
• Remove the squash from the oven. Cut into large wedges, drizzle with the remaining olive oil and lemon juice, salt, pepper, and chopped parsley. Serve immediately, or use in Pasta with Roasted Kabocha Squash and Pecorino Romano (see recipe).