Mashed Maple Butternut Squash Food

MAPLE MASHED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200*C/400*F/ gas mark 6. Line a baking tray with aluminium foil. Spray lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Slice the butternut squash into wedges. Toss together in a bowl with the olive oil, maple syrup and season lightly with salt and pepper. Scatter onto the baking sheet with the thyme stalks. Roast in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until tender and just beginning to caramelise. Remove and tip into a bowl, discarding any stalks of thyme. Mash together with butter to taste and the fresh thyme. Taste and adjust seasoning as required. Keep warm until ready to serve. Note - This can be made several days in advance. Cover and refrigerate and reheat in the microwave when needed.

MASHED MAPLE BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Cut squash in half, scrape out seeds and fiber. Chunk in 2" pieces.
• Boil or steam (steaming preserves its high amounts of vitamin C and A better) 20 minutes (boil) or 30 (steam) until tender.
• Cool slightly, and slip skin off pieces. Spoon flesh into blender, add remaining ingredients and process till smooth. Goes well with roast birds.

MASHED BUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH MAPLE SYRUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Cut the ends off the the squash then cut it in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and place the squash on a baking sheet cut side up.
• Spread one tablespoon of softened butter on each cut side of the squash, then put one tablespoon of maple syrup into each cavity where the seeds were.
• Roast the squash for about an hour or until the flesh is very soft when pierced with a knife or fork.
• Take the roasted squash out of the oven and let it cool for 15-20 minutes or until it can be handled without being too hot.
• Once the squash is cool enough, scoop out the flesh with a spoon into a bowl. Add two tablespoons of butter, two tablespoons of maple syrup, and a pinch salt and mash everything together with a fork until the squash is creamy and there are no lumps.
• Serve the mashed butternut squash in a bowl with a pat of butter and more maple syrup drizzled over the top.

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.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH MASH

Steps:

• Halve 1 large unpeeled butternut squash (about 3 pounds) and cut into thick wedges, discarding the seeds. Toss with olive oil and roast at 400 degrees F until soft, 35 to 45 minutes. Remove the skin. Puree the squash with 3 tablespoons butter; season with salt. Warm a few tablespoons of maple syrup with a pinch of cayenne pepper; drizzle over the mash.
• Use a food processor or immersion blender to puree these veggies-they're too fibrous for a potato masher.

MASHED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Cut off and discard the ends of the squash. Peel the squash, cut them in half lengthwise, and remove the seeds. Cut the squash into 3/4 inch cubes and place them on a baking sheet. Add the melted butter, brown sugar, salt and pepper. Toss all the ingredients together and spread in a single layer. Roast for 30 minutes, or until the squash is very tender. While roasting, turn the squash once to be sure that it cooks evenly. Do not let it brown.
• Transfer the squash and the pan juices to a large mixing bowl, and mix with an electric mixer until smooth. It should have the consistency of mashed potatoes.
• Season to taste and serve hot. If the squash is too thick, thin it with milk, orange juice or water.

MAPLE-GINGER BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Halve squash and discard seeds. Arrange squash, cut sides up, in a shallow baking pan and roast in middle of oven until soft, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Cool squash slightly and scoop flesh into a bowl. Mash squash slightly with a fork with syrup, ginger, and salt and pepper to taste. Before serving, reheat squash if necessary in a baking dish, covered, in a 350°F oven.

MASHED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Pierce butternut squash skin with a small knife and place cut-side down in a baking dish; pour in enough water for a depth of 1/2 inch. Cover dish with aluminum foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven until squash is tender, about 1 hour.
• Scoop squash into a bowl; add 3/4 cup sour cream, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Mash mixture using a potato masher or fork until smooth. Garnish with parsley and 1 tablespoon sour cream.

MAPLE MASHED BUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH PECANS

Steps:

• Puree the squash with the butter and maple syrup until smooth.
• Fold in the chopped pecans.
• Place in a greased casserole.
• Sprinkle the whole pecans on the top of the dish.
• This dish can be refrigerated for up to two days at this point.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes to warm through and lightly toast the whole pecans.