Roasted Pumpkin Winter Squash Food

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425°F and line or grease a rimmed half-sheet pan.
• Cut the butternut squash into 1-inch cubes. Toss with 3 tablespoons of olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and fresh-ground black pepper. Roast, stirring once, for about 15 minutes, until just tender. It's ok if the squash is slightly underdone.PRO TIP: To break down a whole butternut squash, trim the top and bottom from the squash. Use a vegetable peeler to peel the squash. Cut the long neck portion into cubes. Then, slice the bulbous bottom portion in half length lengthwise. Scoop the seeds and membrane, then dice each half. This Food52 article breaks the process down well, with photos.
• While the butternut squash roasts, prepare your remaining ingredients.
• Flour, stretch, and press the pizza dough into a half-sheet pan that's been greased with the remaining olive oil and dusted with cornmeal or flour. Dust the pizza dough with flour as necessary to prevent it from sticking. TIP: If you want to save a dish, or only have one half-sheet pan, just wait until the butternut squash is out of the oven. When the sheet pan cools, just re-grease and proceed.
• Sprinkle the mozzarella over the pizza dough. Add the onion, then the roasted butternut squash, followed by the crumbled blue or goat cheese, sage, and rosemary. Add a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the bottom of the pizza crust is golden brown. PRO TIP: Place the sheet pan on the bottom rack of the oven. The radiant heat from the oven floor will help brown the bottom of the crust. You could also put the sheet pan directly on top of a pizza stone.
• Drizzle the honey over the pizza. Cut into slices and serve hot.

WINTER SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the butter and oil in a heavy - bottomed stockpot, add the onions, and cook over medium - low heat for 10 minutes, or until translucent. Add the pumpkin puree, butternut squash, chicken stock, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer over medium - low heat for about 20 minutes, until the butternut squash is very tender. Process the mixture through the medium blade of a food mill. Return to the pot, add the half - and - half, and heat slowly. If the soup needs more flavor, add another teaspoon of salt. Serve hot with garnishes, if desired.
• Cook's Note: To serve with croutons, remove the crusts from 2 slices of white bread, cut them in 1/2-inch cubes, and saute them in 1 tablespoon of butter until browned. Season with salt and pepper.

ROASTED PUMPKIN (WINTER SQUASH)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Spray 8"x8" baking dish with cooking spray.
• Arrange 4 pumpkin section, skin side down, in dish.
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• Place 2 pats butter on each pumpkin section.
• Sprinkle with brown sugar to taste.
• Cover dish and place on center rack of oven for one (1) hour.

ROASTED WINTER SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Peel the squash with a vegetable peeler. Halve lengthwise, discard the seeds, then cut into 1-inch dice. Place in a large bowl.
• Heat the butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. When the butter ceases to foam and has turned a light brown, pull the pan off the heat and immediately add the sage, rosemary, sugar, vinegar (stand back so as not to get splattered), and molasses. Mix well and bring up to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer over medium-low heat for 1 to 2 minutes to meld the flavors. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
• Pour the vinegar mixture over the squash and toss well, then transfer to a heavy rimmed baking sheet or baking dish large enough to hold the squash in a single layer. Place in the oven and roast, tossing at least once, until very tender and caramelized, about 1 hour. Set aside until cool enough to handle but still warm, so the liquids are runny.
• Working in batches, if necessary, transfer the warm squash and all the cooking liquids to a food processor and process until smooth. Use immediately, or refrigerate for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.