Roasted Butternut Squash Bruschetta Recipes

ROASTED GRAPE AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Remove grapes from stems, rinse under cold water, drain and pat dry. On one sheet pan, toss grapes with grapeseed or other oil, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and roast for 15 minutes. On another sheet pan, toss butternut squash with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, the allspice, cinnamon, smoked paprika and thyme and roast for 10 minutes, or until just tender. Let cool to room temperature.
• Meanwhile, heat the port wine in a small saucepan over medium high heat until it is reduced to about 2 tablespoons of syrup. Cool to room temperature or just slightly warm. This may be done ahead and the syrup kept in the refrigerator. Bring back to room temperature or warm slightly before use.
• Roast the pecans for about 3 to 4 minutes or until they become fragrant. Cool slightly and chop.
• Slice 12 pieces from the baguette on the bias, sprinkle with remaining olive oil, salt and pepper. Grill or toast in the oven until golden brown. To assemble the bruschetta, spread each slice with about 2 tablespoons of chevre or a slice of a Camembert-style cheese and sprinkle with pecans. Then add a nice mix of squash and grapes. Using a small spoon, drizzle each piece with a thin ribbon of the port syrup.

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• To make roasted winter squash: Heat oven to 375°F. Heat butter over medium-high heat in an ovenproof sauté pan; add diced squash, salt and pepper. When squash begins to brown, place pan in oven. Roast for 15 minutes or until medium-brown on all sides. Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Puree in food processor, or mash with potato masher or ricer. Measure 1 1/2 cups squash; reserve.
• To make soup: Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat until hot. Add the onion, celery, carrot and cinnamon stick; sauté until soft but not brown, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the broth and the coriander; bring to a boil. Simmer for several minutes. Stir in reserved squash until smooth; simmer gently to let the flavors meld, about 10 minutes. Discard the cinnamon stick.
• Puree the soup using an immersion blender or in a blender until smooth. (The soup can be made ahead to this point, cooled, covered, and refrigerated for several days or frozen for about 1 month. It will thicken as it cools and may need thinning with broth or water when reheating.)
• Return the soup to the pan and reheat gently. Add the half-and-half. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Top each serving with pumpkin seeds and toasted bread crumbs.