Twice Baked Buttercup Squash Food

TWICE-BAKED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Put the squash and potatoes on a baking sheet. Brush the squash with half of the oil and toss the sweet potatoes with the other half, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Turn the squash and sweet potatoes flesh-side down on the baking sheet and poke the skin of the squash all over with a fork. Roast until the squash flesh is very soft and golden brown and the potatoes are cooked through when poked with a knife, 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Turn the oven to broil. Scoop out the flesh of the sweet potatoes and put it in a bowl (discard the skins). Scoop the flesh out of the squash, leaving a 1/2-inch border of flesh around the edges, and add it to the bowl along with the heavy cream, butter, 2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Mash with a potato masher until it is smooth, creamy and resembles mashed potatoes. Put the squash skins back on the baking sheet and divide the filling evenly between the cavities. Top with the goat cheese, then broil until the cheese is bubbly and just beginning to turn brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Sprinkle the scallions and pepitas over tops before serving.

ROASTED BUTTERCUP SQUASH

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees F.
• Toss the squash with the oil, 2 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper on a rimmed baking sheet until completely coated. Roast, tossing once halfway through, until the squash is tender and browned on the edges, 35 to 45 minutes.

TWICE-BAKED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees with the rack in center. Halve squash lengthwise, and remove seeds and fibers. Sprinkle squash halves with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Fill a roasting pan with 1/4 inch water. Place squash in pan. Cover with aluminum foil, and bake until squash is tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, 35 to 45 minutes. Remove from oven, transfer squash to a cool surface, and let cool enough to handle. Reduce oven temperature to 425 degrees.
• Use a spoon to scoop baked flesh out of each half into a large bowl, leaving a 1/4-inch border around six of the halves so they will keep their shape. To the bowl, add sour cream, paprika, chives, and remaining teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Mix with a handheld electric mixer or potato masher until smooth and well combined. Season with salt and pepper. Fill six squash halves with mixture (discard remaining six empty halves). Sprinkle tops with toasted breadcrumbs. Bake until golden brown and warm throughout, 20 to 30 minutes. Serve.

CURRIED BAKED BUTTERCUP SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Cut squash in half and scrape out the seeds & pulp.
• Place squash cut side down on an aluminum foil lined rimmed baking pan.
• Bake for 30 minutes.
• Remove squash from oven and turn over.
• Put half of the butter and spices in each squash half.
• Return to the oven and bake another 20 minutes or until the squash is tender and can be easily pricked with a toothpick.
• Serve.
• (I usually "mash" the inside of my half to mix the spices throughout the flesh once it is on my plate).