Savory Hubbard Squash Food

SQUASH SOUFFLE ( ACORN, BUTTERNUT OR HUBBARD )

Steps:

• Pour enough water into a large pot to come about 1 inch up the side. Set a vegetable steamer in the pot, and put the squash chunks into the steamer. Cover the pot, bring the water to a boil over moderately high heat, and steam the squash for 25 to 30 minutes or until it is tender and shows no resistance when pierced with the tip of a small knife.
• Puree the squash through a food mill or fine sieve set over a bowl lined with dampened cheesecloth. Wrap the cloth around the squash and, holding the ends in both hands, squeeze vigorously to remove as much of the moisture from the squash as possible. There should be about 2 cups of puree. Set it aside in a bowl.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375°F With a pastry brush, spread a light coating of melted or softened butter evenly over the bottom and sides of a 2-quart soufflé dish.
• In a heavy 2 to 3 quart saucepan, melt the 3 Tablespoons of butter in the oil over moderate heat. Stir in the flour and mix to a paste. Stirring constantly with a wire whisk, pour in the milk and cream, and cook over high heat until the mixture comes to a boil, thickens heavily and is smooth. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for two or three minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the squash. Then beat in the egg yolks, one at a time. Stir in the sugar, nutmeg, 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of white pepper, and taste for seasoning.
• With a whisk or a rotary or electric beater-and in an unlined copper bowl, if possible-beat the 5 egg whites until they are firm enough to stand in peaks on the beater when it is lifted from the bowl. Stir two or three large spoonfuls of the whites into the squash mixture to lighten it, then gently but thoroughly fold in the remaining whites.
• Pour the soufflé mixture into the buttered dish, and smooth the top with a rubber spatula. Bake in the middle of the oven for 40 minutes or until the soufflé puffs up well above the rim and the top is lightly browned. Serve at once. Serves 4 to 6.
• Best Recipes from Time Life Books.

HUBBARD SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Cut Hubbard Squash in two pieces.
• Put in roasting pan with 2 inches water on bottom of pan.
• Cover with foil, bake at 350 2-3 hours, until tender. Using a spoon, scrape all the yellow squash into a bowl (careful not to take the green unripened part). Set aside.
• Saute onion in 2 tablespoons butter till carmalized.
• Put all ingredients into a food processor and process until very smooth.
• (My food processor is small, so I do this in small batches and put each into a large pot, then stir till all is combined.).
• Add the steamed brocolli and ham cubes.

SAVORY WINTER SQUASH CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Melt butter in sauce pan and sweat celery and onion until onion is clear.
• Mix last five ingredients well then add saute` vegetables. Bake at 350' for 1 1/2- 2 hours in a buttered casserole dish or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.

BLUE HUBBARD SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Cut the squash in half. Remove the seeds and place the squash cut side-down on a baking sheet.
• Roast in the preheated oven until you can pierce a fork through the flesh of the squash, about 40 minutes. Do not overcook it so it becomes mushy. Set aside.
• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic, ginger, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook and stir for 2 minutes more.
• Peel off the skin from the squash or use a spoon to scoop out the flesh. Add squash to the pot, cover with vegetable broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook, about 15 minutes.
• Turn off heat and remove the lid. Stir in coconut milk and lemon juice and allow to cool slightly, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a blender in batches, or use an immersion blender, to blend the soup until it is silky smooth.