Winter Squash With Spiced Butter Recipes

SWEET AND SPICY ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat 400° F. and line a baking sheet with foil. Place the diced butternut squash onto the baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle on the chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Toss everything together with your hands until coated.
• Roast for 20-25 minutes or until the squash is tender. Toss the squash halfway during the cooking time. Remove the squash from the oven, drizzle with honey and toss to coat.
• Put the squash into a serving bowl and top with toasted pepitas and chopped cilantro.

SPICY BUTTERNUT SQUASH PASTA WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• Bring a large covered pot of heavily salted water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, in a 12-inch ovenproof skillet with high sides and a tight-fitting lid (or a Dutch oven), heat the oil over medium-high until shimmering. Add the squash and season with salt, cumin and red-pepper flakes. Cook, stirring every minute, until squash becomes browned in spots and feels just tender, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the oven to 400 degrees. Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook, uncovered, until not quite al dente, 3 to 4 minutes less than the package instructions. (It should be a little too firm to the bite.) Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and drain. If the pasta is done before the squash, then stir in a drizzle of olive oil so that it doesn't stick together.
• When the squash is just tender, add the broth. Bring to an active simmer, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the squash is soft and easily mashable, 10 to 12 minutes. Turn off the heat, then use a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon to crush about half of the butternut squash and leave the rest chunky. Season the squash to taste, keeping in mind that salty Parmesan will be added soon.
• Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with 1 cup reserved pasta water and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, stirring vigorously to combine. Stir in the spinach one handful at a time until it shrinks down a little.
• Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan, the mozzarella and jalapeño, then place in the oven, on a sheet pan if you are worried about dripping. Cook until the top is melted and browned in spots, 12 to 15 minutes. Drizzle with olive oil, top with parsley and serve.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH BUTTER

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in a Dutch oven. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until mixture reaches a thick, spreadable consistency, 1 to 1-1/2 hours. Cool to room temperature. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 weeks.