Nyt Masala Winter Squash Recipes

MASALA WINTER SQUASH

Steps:

• Combine onion, garlic and chili in container of a food processor and grind until pasty. In a large skillet or casserole that can be covered, place oil and put over medium heat. Add onion mixture, salt and pepper and curry powder. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion mixture begins to brown, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Add tomatoes or 1/2 cup water, along with squash. Cover and adjust heat so mixture simmers steadily. Cook, stirring occasionally and adding more water if necessary, until squash is tender, about 20 minutes. Serve with lime.

MASALA WINTER SQUASH

Steps:

• Place onions and garlic into food processor bowl and grind until it is turns into a paste.
• Add oil to a saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Add garlic-onion paste, salt, pepper and curry and sauté for 5 to 10 minutes. Stir occasionally and allow the onions to brown.
• Add drained tomatoes, chili and squash to the skillet. Stir in in ¼ cup of water or reserved liquid from canned tomatoes if using. Cover and adjust heat so that you achieve a low simmer. Stir occasionally, adding more liquid as needed. Squash should be tender and ready to serve in 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve with lime wedges.

WINTER SQUASH GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Cover a baking sheet with foil and brush lightly with olive oil. Cut the squash in half, scoop out the seeds and stringy membranes, brush the cut sides with olive oil and lay cut side down on the foil-covered baking sheet. Bake 40 minutes, or until soft enough to pierce easily with a knife. Remove from the heat and allow to cool, then peel and either mash with a fork, puree in a food processor fitted with the steel blade, or finely dice. You should have about 2 cups of pureed or finely diced squash.
• Turn the oven down to 375ºF and oil a 2-quart gratin or baking dish with olive oil. Heat the remaining oil over medium heat in a medium heavy skillet and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute. Stir in the parsley and sage, and squash, and remove from the heat. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Beat the eggs in a large bowl and whisk in the milk. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Stir in the squash mixture and the Gruyère. Taste and adjust seasonings. Scrape into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the Parmesan over the top.
• Bake 30 to 40 minutes, until lightly browned on the top and sizzling. Serve hot, warm, or room temperature.

WINTER SQUASH CASSEROLE WITH ROSEMARY

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325 degrees. Place squash cubes in a large mixing bowl.
• In a small bowl, whisk together flour and cornstarch, then whisk in ginger, salt and pepper. Add half the dry ingredients to the squash and toss gently but thoroughly to combine. Add remaining dry ingredients and toss again until evenly coated. Add garlic, parsley, rosemary and 1/3 cup oil. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat.
• Transfer squash to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, until tender. Uncover and bake until very soft, another 45 to 60 minutes. (The casserole can be cooled and refrigerated at this point for up to 2 days. Bring to room temperature before resuming.)
• To finish, brown the top: Turn oven to 350 degrees. (Alternatively, turn oven to 325 degrees with convection, or use the broiler.) Heat squash until sizzling on the bottom and crusty on the top, about 10 minutes. (If reheating from room temperature, it will take longer, 20 to 30 minutes.) Serve immediately.

MASALA WINTER SQUASH

Steps:

• Combine the onion, garlic, and chile in a food processor and grind until pasty. Put the oil in a large skillet or flameproof casserole with a lid over medium heat and add the onion mixture along with some salt and pepper and the curry powder. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to brown, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Add the tomato or 1/2 cup water along with the squash. Cover and adjust the heat so the mixture simmers steadily. Cook, stirring occasionally and adding more water if necessary, until the squash is tender, about 20 minutes. Serve with the lime wedges.

SPICY CARAMELIZED SQUASH WITH LEMON AND HAZELNUTS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees. Cut the squash in half lengthwise. Remove pulp and seeds, if you like. Continue to cut squash into 1 1/2-inch wedges.
• Toss squash on a rimmed baking sheet with olive oil, maple syrup, paprika and red-pepper flakes. Season with kosher salt and pepper, and roast, turning each piece once, until both sides are evenly browned and squash is completely tender, 40 to 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, toast hazelnuts in a small skillet over medium heat, tossing frequently until they're evenly browned, about the color of a good piece of toast, and smell almost like popcorn, 4 to 6 minutes.
• Remove from oven and transfer squash to a large serving platter. Drizzle with olive oil and a bit more maple syrup. Sprinkle with hazelnuts, flaky salt and more black pepper. Zest lemon over everything and halve lemon to squeeze over before serving.