Winter Squash Carbonara With Pancetta And Sage Food

WINTER SQUASH CARBONARA WITH PANCETTA AND SAGE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pancetta, reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 8-10 minutes. Add sage and toss to coat. Using a slotted spoon, transfer pancetta and sage to a small bowl; set aside.
• Add squash, onion, and garlic to skillet; season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, 8-10 minutes. Add broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until squash is soft and liquid is reduced by half, 15-20 minutes. Let cool slightly, then purée in a blender until smooth; season with salt and pepper. Reserve skillet.
• Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking liquid.
• Combine pasta, squash purée, and 1/4 cup pasta cooking liquid in reserved skillet and cook over medium heat, tossing and adding more pasta cooking liquid as needed, until sauce coats pasta, about 2 minutes. Mix in 1/4 cup Pecorino; season with salt and pepper.
• Serve pasta topped with reserved pancetta and sage, shaved Pecorino, and more pepper.
• DO AHEAD: Squash purée can be made 3 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill.

SPAGHETTI SQUASH CARBONARA

Steps:

• Cut the squash in half crosswise using a serrated knife. Scoop out and discard the seeds with a spoon. Put the squash onto a microwave-safe plate, cover tightly with plastic wrap and microwave on high until very tender and the flesh can easily be flaked with a fork, 13 to 14 minutes. Use a fork to scrape the sides of the squash into spaghetti-like strands into a bowl.
• Meanwhile, mix together the Parmesan, egg yolk, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a generous amount of pepper in a medium bowl.
• Cook the pancetta in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 6 minutes. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the heavy cream, scraping up any brown bits in the pan, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium, add the squash strands and toss until well coated.
• Add the Parmesan mixture and toss to gently cook the eggs and make a creamy sauce. Sir in the parsley. Divide among 4 plates and serve with more Parmesan, if using, and a green salad on the side.

ROASTED SQUASH WITH PANCETTA AND SAGE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Cut the squash into 1/2-inch cubes and put them in a large bowl. Season generously with salt and pepper, then drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil and toss to coat.
• Spread the squash on a baking sheet in one layer and roast for about 20 minutes or until lightly browned and cooked through. (You may need to turn the pan several times for even browning.) Remove, and cool to room temperature on the baking sheet.
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook until barely crisp, about 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in the garlic and sage. Spoon the pancetta, garlic and sage evenly over the squash.
• With a spatula, carefully pile the squash into an oven-proof serving dish. If not serving immediately, keep at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours; or cover and refrigerate, then bring to room temperature, before reheating in a 400-degree oven for 10 minutes.

WINTER SQUASH CARBONARA WITH PANCETTA AND SAGE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pancetta, reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 8-10 minutes. Add sage and toss to coat. Using a slotted spoon, transfer pancetta and sage to a small bowl; set aside. Add squash, onion, and garlic to skillet; season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, 8-10 minutes. Add broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until squash is soft and liquid is reduced by half, 15-20 minutes. Let cool slightly, then purée in a blender until smooth; season with salt and pepper. Reserve skillet. Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking liquid. Combine pasta, squash purée, and ¼ cup pasta cooking liquid in reserved skillet and cook over medium heat, tossing and adding more pasta cooking liquid as needed, until sauce coats pasta, about 2 minutes. Mix in ¼ cup Pecorino; season with salt and pepper. Serve pasta topped with reserved pancetta and sage, shaved Pecorino, and more pepper. DO AHEAD: Squash purée can be made 3 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill.