Squash Appetizer Cups Recipes

CHEESY PHYLLO CUPS WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Put a baking sheet on the middle oven rack and preheat to 375 degrees F. Toss the squash with the melted butter, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper; spread in a single layer on the hot baking sheet. Roast until just tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in the shallot and roast until softened, about 5 minutes. Let the squash cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet.
• Meanwhile, place the phyllo shells on another baking sheet. Bake until crisp, about 5 minutes. Mix the cream cheese and mayonnaise in a medium bowl.
• Fill each phyllo shell with a teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture. Top with a few cubes roasted squash and sprinkle with the smoked cheddar and thyme. Return to the oven and bake until lightly browned, about 15 minutes.

SQUASH PUFFS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425˚. Brush a 24-cup mini-muffin pan (preferably nonstick) with olive oil. Evenly sprinkle the sugar on the bottom of each cup. Unfold the puff pastry on a work surface and cut into 24 equal squares with a sharp knife.
• Toss the squash with the olive oil, rosemary, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a bowl. Place 1 piece in each muffin cup (it's OK if some of the squash pieces extend above the top of the cups). Press about 1/2 teaspoon cheese on top of each squash cube. Cover each with a piece of puff pastry, tucking the edges into the muffin cups.
• Bake until the pastry is golden and puffed, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes, then remove from the pan. Serve squash-side up.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH TARTLETS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425°F. Place butternut squash in ungreased 17x12-inch half-sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil; toss gently to coat. Sprinkle with pepper and salt. Roast 30 to 40 minutes or until browned and tender, stirring after 20 minutes. Cool in pan on cooling rack, about 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 400°F.
• In food processor, place garlic. Cover; process, with on-and-off pulses, until chopped. Add butternut squash, whipping cream and chopped sage. Cover; process 1 to 2 minutes or until smooth, scraping bowl occasionally.
• Line cookie sheet or half-sheet pan with foil. Spoon about 1 rounded teaspoonful butternut squash mixture into each filo shell. Place on cookie sheet. Sprinkle with cheese.
• Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Immediately remove to cooling rack. Garnish with sage leaves and pepper. Serve warm.

JEAN-GEORGES VONGERICHTEN'S SQUASH ON TOAST

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 450. Combine the squash, 1/4 cup olive oil, chile flakes and 2 teaspoons of salt in a bowl and toss well. Transfer the mixture to a parchment-lined baking sheet and cook, stirring every few minutes, until tender and slightly colored, about 15 minutes or a little longer. Remove from the oven.
• Meanwhile, heat another 1/4 cup olive oil over medium-high heat, add the onions and remaining teaspoon salt and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are well softened and darkening, at least 15 minutes. Add the vinegar and syrup, stir and reduce until syrupy and broken down, again at least 15 minutes or so; the mixture should be jammy.
• Combine squash and onions in a bowl and smash with a fork until combined. Taste for seasoning.
• Add the remaining oil to a skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches if necessary, add bread and cook until just golden on both sides, less than 10 minutes total; drain on paper towels. Spread cheese on toasts, then top with the squash-onion mixture. Sprinkle with coarse salt and garnish with mint.

SQUASH APPETIZER CUPS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, saute the zucchini and yellow squash over medium heat until reduced to about 1-1/2 cups, about 10 minutes.
• Transfer to a small bowl.
• Add the onion, cheeses, parsley, marjoram and garlic.
• In a large bowl, combine the biscuit mix, seasoned salt and pepper. Stir in eggs and oil just until combined. Fold in squash mixture.
• Fill greased miniature muffin cups three-fourths full.
• Bake at 350* for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
• Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.
• Serve warm. Refrigerate leftovers.

SUMMER SQUASH PUFFS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a deep, heavy skillet or deep fryer to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C).
• Place the squash in a pot with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook 10 minutes, or until tender. Drain, and mash.
• In a bowl, mix 2 cups squash*, onion, and eggs. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, corn muffin mix, baking powder, and salt. Thoroughly blend the squash mixture into the flour mixture.
• Drop the squash and flour mixture by rounded tablespoons into the hot oil, and fry until evenly brown and crisp. Drain on paper towels.