Maple Almond Butternut Squash Food

MASHED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. For easy clean up, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
• Wash and dry the squash. Trim off the top and bottom ends, then carefully slice it in half lengthwise. (No need to peel it.) Scoop out the seeds. Place it cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet.
• Brush the cut sides of the squash with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and the maple syrup. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes, or longer depending upon the size of your squash, until very tender and the squash pierces easily with a fork. Let rest until cool enough to handle.
• Carefully scoop out the flesh and place it in the bowl of a stand mixer or a large mixing bowl. Add the nutmeg, cayenne, milk, Parmesan, parsley, and remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mash the butternut squash, either by hand with a potato mixer, or with an electric hand mixer on low speed, or the paddle attachment of a stand mixer on low speed, until it is as smooth as you like (we leave ours a bit chunky). Taste and adjust the seasoning as you like. Enjoy hot.

MAPLE ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• In a large bowl, toss the butternut squash with oil, maple, salt and fresh ground pepper. Place in a baking dish, cover with foil and roast in the center of the oven for 25 minutes.
• Remove foil, turn the squash and bake an addition 15 minutes, or until fork tender (time will vary depending on the size you cut the squash).
• Makes 3 cups.

VEGAN BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP WITH ALMOND MILK

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Cut off the top 1/4-inch of the garlic cloves and brush the cut cloves with a small amount of olive oil. Wrap in aluminum foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cloves are tender and browned, about 45 minutes. Let cool until safe to handle, about 5 minutes; chop.
• Heat olive oil in a 5-quart pot over medium-high heat. Add garlic and onion; saute until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add butternut squash and broth. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until squash is soft, about 30 minutes. Remove soup from heat and let cool slightly, about 30 minutes.
• Fill blender halfway with soup. Add about 1/2 cup of almond milk. Cover and hold lid down with a potholder; pulse a few times before leaving on to blend for 1 minute. Pour into a pot. Repeat with remaining soup and almond milk. Return soup to the stove over low heat before serving; cook until heated through, about 3 minutes.

MAPLE BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Cut squash in half lengthwise; discard seeds. Place cut side down in a microwave-safe dish; add 1/2 in. of hot water. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 12-14 minutes or until crisp-tender. , Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the syrup, raisins, butter, cardamom and allspice; set aside. When squash is cool enough to handle, remove rind and cut into 1-in. pieces. Place in a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Drizzle with syrup mixture. , Cover and bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Uncover; bake 10-15 minutes longer or until squash is tender. Serve with a slotted spoon.

MAPLE-ROASTED SQUASH WITH PECANS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Finely chop the leaves from 2 rosemary sprigs and mix with the oil, maple syrup and plenty of seasoning. Toss with the butternut squash on a large baking tray and roast for 20 mins.
• Roughly chop the pecans so they stay pretty chunky. Break the remaining rosemary sprig into shorter sprigs, then scatter with the pecans over the squash, and toss together, turning over the squash wedges. Return to the oven for another 20 mins until the squash is tender and caramelising at the edges. Serve straight away, or at room temperature.