Maple Butternut Squash Puree Lactose Free Food

ORANGE-MAPLE BUTTERNUT SQUASH MASH

Steps:

• Cut the bulbous bottom of the squash off from the long top. Split the bottom in half through the root end and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Cut the long part in half lengthwise. Peel or cut off the rind, then cut the flesh into 1-inch pieces.
• Add the squash to a 4-quart pot, add enough water to cover, bring to a boil, and cook, covered, over high heat, about 18 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon salt and cover. Lower the heat to medium and cook until the squash is tender when pierced with a fork, 10 to 12 minutes more. (There should be no resistance, but the squash should not fall apart. Be attentive: It can overcook very quickly and absorb too much water, making your mash soupy.)
• Meanwhile, toast the coriander in a small dry skillet over medium-high heat, stirring often, until aromatic, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl.
• Strain the squash in a colander. Return it to the pot, add the butter and mash with a potato masher until smooth. Add the zest, 1 tablespoon of the maple syrup, 1 1/2 teaspoons of the toasted coriander and salt to taste and stir to combine. When serving, drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon syrup over the top and dust with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon coriander.

SPICED SQUASH AND MAPLE PURéE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Place squash halves, cut side up, on large baking sheet. bake until very tender, about 50 minutes. Remove from oven and cool slightly. Using large spoon, scoop out squash flesh and transfer to large bowl.
• Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add chopped onion and ground nutmeg and sauté until onion is tender and light brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer to bowl with squash. Add chicken broth and maple syrup. Puree mixture in batches in processor until smooth, occasionally scraping down sides of bowl. Season squash puree with salt and pepper. Return puree to same saucepan. (Can be prepared 4 hours ahead. Cover and let stand at room temperature.) Stir puree over medium heat until heated through. Transfer to bowl and serve.

MAPLE SQUASH PURéE

Steps:

• Simmer squash in water with 1 teaspoon salt in a 5-quart pot (water will not cover squash), covered, until squash is very tender, about 15 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking liquid, then drain squash in a colander.
• Purée squash, syrup, and butter in batches in a food processor until smooth, adding reserved cooking liquid if purée is too thick. Transfer to a serving bowl and stir in pepper and remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt.
• Variations:
• • Add crumbled bacon: Cook 6 bacon slices in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat until crisp. Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain, then crumble and sprinkle over purée.
• • Add 1 teaspoon finely grated peeled fresh ginger to purée along with pepper and salt.