Spinach And Acorn Squash Purees Food

ACORN SQUASH PUREE

Steps:

• Prepare Basic Acorn Squash. When cool enough to handle, halve each squash lengthwise. Scoop out and discard seeds; scrape out flesh from squash halves, and transfer to a food processor (discard skin). Process until smooth. You can also season it and serve it as a side dish.
• In a medium saucepan, combine squash purée with 2 tablespoons butter and 1 teaspoon coarse salt. Cook over medium heat until hot, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a serving dish, and sprinkle lightly with ground nutmeg.

ROASTED ACORN SQUASH WITH SPINACH AND GRUYERE

Steps:

• Rinse the squash and cut each in half lenghthwise: scoop out and discard seeds; Place squash halves, cut side down, in a 10-by-15 inch pan.
• Bake in a 400 degree regular or convection oven until squash is just tender when pierced, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, squeeze moisture from spinach; in a bowl, mix spinach, 3/4 cup cheese and walnuts; season to taste with salt and pepper.
• With tongs or a spatula, turn squash halves over and spoon spinach mixture equally into cavities of squash; Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese.
• Return squash to oven and bake until cheese melts and filling is hot in the center, 15 to 20 minutes, Serve.

ACORN SQUASH WITH SPINACH STUFFING

Steps:

• Cut squash in half; discard seeds. Place squash, cut side down, in an ungreased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Fill pan with hot water to a depth of 1/2 in. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 40 minutes., Meanwhile, in a skillet, saute celery and onions in oil until tender. Add the spinach and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cook and stir until spinach is wilted. , In a bowl, combine the bread crumbs, pecans and remaining salt. Drain water from baking pan. Turn squash cut side up. Stuff with spinach mixture; sprinkle crumb mixture over top. Dot with butter. Bake 15 minutes longer or until the squash is tender.

ACORN SQUASH PURéE

Steps:

• Sprinkle the cavities of the squash halves with salt and arrange the squash, inverted, in one layer in a buttered baking dish. Bake the squash, covered with foil, in the middle of a preheated 375°F. oven for 1 hour and let it cool until it can be handled. Scoop out the squash pulp, discarding the skin, and in a food processor purée it with the butter. Transfer the purée to a saucepan and simmer it, stirring occasionally, until the excess liquid is evaporated. Season the purée with the nutmeg and salt and pepper. The purée may be made 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled.

SPINACH AND ACORN SQUASH PUREES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Oil a roasting pan with the olive oil and put the squash halves cut side down. Bake the halves for about 40 minutes, or until the flesh is tender when pierced with a skewer or fork.
• Scoop the flesh into a bowl and mash in the butter, salt and pepper. Sweeten to taste with the maple syrup. Keep warm.
• Meanwhile, steam the spinach until tender (three to four minutes). Squeeze dry and put in a food processor with the butter. Season the spinach with salt and pepper and puree until smooth.
• Put the two purees next to each other in a serving dish. Sprinkle the spinach with nutmeg. Serve immediately.