Nyt Masala Winter Squash Food

WINTER SQUASH AND WILD MUSHROOM CURRY

Steps:

• In a wide skillet, heat oil over medium-high. When hot, add squash cubes in one layer. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 2 minutes, letting cubes brown slightly, then flip and cook for 2 minutes more. Use a slotted spoon to lift squash out, and set aside.
• Cut a lengthwise slit in each chile to open it, but leave whole. (This helps the chiles heat the sauce without making it too spicy.)
• Add shallots, salt lightly and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds and curry leaves, if using, and let sizzle for 30 seconds, then add garlic, coriander, cayenne, turmeric and chiles. Stir well and cook for 30 seconds more.
• Add mushrooms, season with salt and toss to coat. Cook, stirring, until mushrooms begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
• Return squash cubes to skillet, stir in coconut milk and bring to a simmer. Lower heat to medium and simmer for another 5 minutes. If mixture looks dry, thin with a little water. Taste and season with salt.
• Before serving, stir in lime juice. Transfer to a warm serving dish and garnish with cilantro.

MASALA WINTER SQUASH

Steps:

• Combine onion, garlic and chili in container of a food processor and grind until pasty. In a large skillet or casserole that can be covered, place oil and put over medium heat. Add onion mixture, salt and pepper and curry powder. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion mixture begins to brown, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Add tomatoes or 1/2 cup water, along with squash. Cover and adjust heat so mixture simmers steadily. Cook, stirring occasionally and adding more water if necessary, until squash is tender, about 20 minutes. Serve with lime.

MASALA WINTER SQUASH

Steps:

• Place onions and garlic into food processor bowl and grind until it is turns into a paste.
• Add oil to a saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Add garlic-onion paste, salt, pepper and curry and sauté for 5 to 10 minutes. Stir occasionally and allow the onions to brown.
• Add drained tomatoes, chili and squash to the skillet. Stir in in ¼ cup of water or reserved liquid from canned tomatoes if using. Cover and adjust heat so that you achieve a low simmer. Stir occasionally, adding more liquid as needed. Squash should be tender and ready to serve in 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve with lime wedges.

ROASTED WINTER SQUASH WITH SEARED COD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Melt half the butter in a small saucepan.
• Put 2 tablespoons melted butter in a roasting pan and arrange squash slices in one layer on it. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and drizzle remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter on top. Roast without turning for 20 to 30 minutes, or until squash is tender; keep warm while you finish fish.
• About 5 minutes before squash is done, put a heavy skillet over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes; add 2 tablespoons butter. Dredge cod pieces lightly in flour and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add to skillet and turn heat to high; cook, turning only once, until nicely browned on both sides and cooked through (a thin-bladed knife will meet little or no resistance when fish is done).
• Arrange squash slices on a platter, then top with fish. Add remaining butter to skillet over medium heat; when it sizzles and browns, add vinegar and cook for 10 to 20 seconds more. Pour over all and serve immediately.

WINTER SQUASH CASSEROLE WITH ROSEMARY

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325 degrees. Place squash cubes in a large mixing bowl.
• In a small bowl, whisk together flour and cornstarch, then whisk in ginger, salt and pepper. Add half the dry ingredients to the squash and toss gently but thoroughly to combine. Add remaining dry ingredients and toss again until evenly coated. Add garlic, parsley, rosemary and 1/3 cup oil. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat.
• Transfer squash to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, until tender. Uncover and bake until very soft, another 45 to 60 minutes. (The casserole can be cooled and refrigerated at this point for up to 2 days. Bring to room temperature before resuming.)
• To finish, brown the top: Turn oven to 350 degrees. (Alternatively, turn oven to 325 degrees with convection, or use the broiler.) Heat squash until sizzling on the bottom and crusty on the top, about 10 minutes. (If reheating from room temperature, it will take longer, 20 to 30 minutes.) Serve immediately.

MASALA WINTER SQUASH

Steps:

• Combine the onion, garlic, and chile in a food processor and grind until pasty. Put the oil in a large skillet or flameproof casserole with a lid over medium heat and add the onion mixture along with some salt and pepper and the curry powder. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to brown, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Add the tomato or 1/2 cup water along with the squash. Cover and adjust the heat so the mixture simmers steadily. Cook, stirring occasionally and adding more water if necessary, until the squash is tender, about 20 minutes. Serve with the lime wedges.

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.

NYT MASALA WINTER SQUASH

Steps:

• 1. Combine onion, garlic and chili in container of a food processor and grind until pasty. In a large skillet or casserole that can be covered, place oil and put over medium heat. Add onion mixture, salt and pepper and curry powder. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion mixture begins to brown, 5 to 10 minutes. 2. Add tomatoes or ½ cup water, along with squash. Cover and adjust heat so mixture simmers steadily. Cook, stirring occasionally and adding more water if necessary, until squash is tender, about 20 minutes. Serve with lime. Yield: 4 servings.