Risotto Di Zucca Winter Squash Risotto Recipes

RISOTTO CON ZUCCA

Steps:

• In a roasting pan, place butternut squash cubes, sprinkle nutmeg, salt, pepper and olive oil over the cubes and roast in a 375 degree oven for 30 minutes or until tender. Place the roasted squash in a food processor and puree.
• Follow the basic risotto recipe, and when beginning to add the vegetable stock to the risotto, add the butternut squash puree, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon. When the risotto is cooked al dente, add the butter, chopped Italian parsley and Parmesan cheese, continue stirring until a creamy consistency appears, serve on a platter or in individual bowls.

MARIO BATALI'S RISOTTO AL ZUCCA: SQUASH RISOTTO

Steps:

• In a 12 to 14-inch skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and squash cooking until the onions have softened and are translucent but not browned 8 to 10 minutes.
• Add the rice and stir with a wooden spoon until toasted and opaque, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add the wine to the toasting rice, and then add a 4 to 6-ounce ladle of stock and cook, stirring, until it is absorbed.
• Continue adding the stock a ladle at a time, waiting until the liquid is absorbed before adding more. Cook until the rice is tender and creamy and yet still a little al dente, about 15 minutes.
• Stir in the butter and cheese until well mixed. Portion risotto into 4 warmed serving plates, serving with extra cheese.

RISOTTO DI ZUCCA (WINTER SQUASH RISOTTO)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200°C (390-400°F). Cut pumpkin in half crosswise and scoop out the seeds and stringy material. Wash in plain cold water. Place the pumpkin halves on a baking sheet and bake for about 1-1/2 hours or until the flesh is very tender when pierced with a fork. Don't worry if the edges are browned. The natural sugars actually caramelize and give it a richer more complex flavor. When it is cool enough to handle, scoop out the flesh and mush it with a fork. Set aside half of the puree. You can freeze the other half in a plastic bag or air-tight container for another risotto. In a saucepan over medium heat, warm up the stock In a large saucepan heat 50 g (4 T) butter. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes over medium heat. Add the rice and stir thoroughly for about 3 minutes, in order to "coat" the rice well with the butter and onions. (This helps regulate absorption of the wine.) Add the wine and stir until is completely absorbed Add a soup ladle or two of the stock until the rice is just covered, and stir continuously with a wooden spoon. When the stock is almost completely absorbed, repeat this process for about 15 minutes (it depends on the rice's cooking time, which should be clearly indicated on the package) Add the squash and cook for about 2 minutes. The end of the cooking is critical for the final texture of the dish, so when the rice is nearly tender to the bite, but with just a hint of resistance (al dente), and the liquid you have added up to this point has been mostly absorbed (the risotto should seem a bit "soupy"), add the Parmesan and butter to taste, about 30 g (2 T). Remove your risotto from the heat. At this point, stir the risotto vigorously to blend in the cheese and butter. You can also add some salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Let it stand for 1 or 2 minutes and serve immediately (plan your timing well - it is very easy to overcook risotto!).