Roasted Squash Mash With Ginger Puree Food

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.

ROASTED SQUASH MASH

Steps:

• Halve and seed 2 honeynut squash (or 1 small butternut squash). Rub all over with olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Roast cut-side down on a foil-lined baking sheet at 450 degrees F until tender, about 25 minutes. Scoop the flesh into a bowl and mash with 2 tablespoons butter and a pinch each of nutmeg, cayenne and salt. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and chives.

KABOCHA SQUASH MASH

Steps:

• Peel and roughly chop 1 large kabocha squash (about 3 pounds), discarding the seeds. Cook in boiling salted water until soft, about 20 minutes; reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid, then drain. Puree the squash and the reserved liquid with 1/4 cup heavy cream; season with salt and pepper. Top with toasted pepitas.
• Use a food processor or immersion blender to puree these veggies-they're too fibrous for a potato masher.

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.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH PURéE WITH ORANGE, GINGER, AND HONEY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray large baking sheet with nonstick spray. Place squash, cut side down, on prepared sheet. Bake until squash are very tender when pierced with fork, about 50 minutes. Cool slightly. Scoop out pulp from squash and place in processor. Using on/off turns, puree pulp until smooth. Transfer squash puree to bowl.
• Combine butter, orange juice concentrate, honey, ginger, and orange peel in heavy small saucepan. Boil until mixture is reduced to 1/3 cup, about 3 minutes. Stir mixture into squash puree. Mix in lemon peel, cinnamon, and allspice. Season generously with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over medium-low heat, stirring often, or cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high until heated through, about 5 minutes.) Transfer to bowl and serve.

ROASTED SQUASH PUREE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place squash halves, skin side up, on an oiled rimmed baking sheet. Bake until fork-tender, about 1 1/4 hours. Remove from oven. Turn over; let stand until cool enough to handle.
• Scoop the flesh into a food processor, and discard skin. Puree until smooth. Refrigerate squash puree in an airtight container up to 4 days or store in the freezer up to 1 month.

GARLIC ROASTED SUMMER SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Trim the ends from the squash, and cut each squash in half lengthwise. Cut the halves in half again crosswise, to make 4 pieces; cut those pieces in half twice more the long way, to make 16 short spears from each squash. Toss the squash with olive oil and garlic in a bowl; place into a shallow baking dish. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper.
• Roast the squash until the spears and garlic start to brown, 5 to 10 minutes. Check the squash after 5 minutes, and add time in 2- to 3-minute intervals to avoid burning.

ROASTED SQUASH MASH WITH GINGER PUREE

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 400 degrees.
• Cut the squash in half lengthwise. With a spoon scoop out the seeds and discard. Place the squash cut side down in a shallow baking dish. Add 1 cup water.
• Bake squash in the oven until tender and a knife can be easily inserted into the thickest part of the squash; 45 to 50 minutes depending on size.
• Cool until it can be handled, approximately 15 minutes. Remove the skin and discard.
• In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the milk until the milk is hot, about 1 minute. Be careful not to burn! Stir in the grated ginger with a fork.
• Place the squash in a bowl and mash with a potato masher until smooth.
• Add the milk-ginger mixture to the mashed squash. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Place in a serving bowl and serve immediately. Garnish with chives or dill, if desired.