Butternut Squash With Candied Pecans Recipes

SQUASH CASSEROLE WITH CRUNCHY PECAN TOPPING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Roast the squash cut side up on a baking sheet in preheated oven until the flesh is soft, about 50 minutes. Remove squash from oven and cool, then scoop out the flesh into a mixing bowl, or bowl of a food processor.
• Meanwhile, prepare the topping by mixing 2 1/2 tablespoons butter in a bowl with the brown sugar and flour until crumbly. Stir in the pecans. Set aside until needed.
• Lower oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease 11x7 inch baking dish.
• Beat or process the squash until smooth. Add the eggs, white sugar, half and half, vanilla, salt, and 2 1/2 tablespoons butter; process until well blended. Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the brown sugar topping mixture over the squash.
• Bake squash in preheated oven until topping is lightly brown, about 40 minutes.

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH CANDIED PECANS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450ºF.
• Peel and chop butternut squash into 1" cubes.
• Chop onions into 1" pieces.
• Mix onions and squash with oil and spread in a prepared roasting pan with sides.
• Sprinkle brown sugar evenly across vegetables, then grind the nutmeg evenly over the vegetables.
• Mix gently with hands to distribute the brown sugar and nutmeg among the vegetables.
• Bake for 35-45 minutes, gently stirring a couple of times during baking.
• While squash is baking, prepare candied pecans as directed below.
• When squash is turning brown on the edges and there is no longer any liquid in the pan, remove the vegetables from the oven.
• Gently stir one-half to two-thirds (depending on how much you want to reserve for topping based on the size and shape of your serving dish) of the pecans into the squash, then place into a serving bowl. Sprinkle the remaining pecans on top of the squash and serve immediately.

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH BROWN SUGAR

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Combine squash, olive oil, brown sugar, sea salt, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper in a large bowl; toss until squash is evenly coated. Spread squash in an even layer onto the prepared baking sheet.
• Roast in the preheated oven, turning midway through, until edges are lightly browned and centers are tender, 40 to 45 minutes. Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with nuts.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH CANDIED PECANS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. In a large bowl whisk the egg white until frothy. Add the pecans and stir to coat. Add the brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon of the cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon salt, and the cloves. Stir until evenly distributed among the nuts. Spread the nuts in a single layer on the prepared pan and bake until toasted and caramelized, 18 to 20 minutes, stirring several times. Once cool enough to handle, coarsely chop the pecans and set aside. Prepare the grill for indirect cooking over medium heat (350° to 450°F). In a small bowl combine the butter, the remaining ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon salt, and the cayenne pepper. Place the squash, cut side up, on the grill and brush generously with the butter mixture, reserving the rest for basting and serving. Grill over indirect medium heat, with the lid closed, until very tender, 50 minutes to 1 hour, basting occasionally. Remove from the grill and drizzle with the remaining butter mixture. Top with candied pecans and a final sprinkling of salt, if desired. Serve warm.

TWICE-BAKED BUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH PARMESAN CREAM AND CANDIED BACON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut both squash in half lengthwise; scoop out seeds. Transfer cut side down to a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Poke outside of skin all over with a fork, then roast until flesh is very soft, about 1 1/2 hours for large squash and about 1 hour for medium squash.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 cup cream in a medium pot over medium until just beginning to simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and whisk in 1/4 cup cheese and cook, whisking, until smooth, about 1 minute. Transfer to a medium bowl and chill until very cold, about 45 minutes (do not freeze).
• Cook bacon in a medium skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally, until crisp, 8-10 minutes. Transfer to paper towels, reserving bacon fat in skillet. Let cool, then finely chop.
• Spread 3 Tbsp. sugar in a thin layer in the center of a medium dry skillet. Cook over medium heat, mostly undisturbed (it's ok to swirl pan gently to get sugar to melt evenly), until sugar melts and starts to turn light brown, about 6 minutes. Quickly stir in bacon and hazelnuts and cook, stirring, until coated and melted sugar is chestnut brown, about 1 minute more. Scrape onto a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet and spread out to cool, then finely chop.
• Reduce oven temperature to 375°F. Using a spoon, scoop flesh out of large squash into a large bowl, leaving a 1/2" border around squash shell to help maintain its shape. Transfer large shells to a rimmed baking sheet; arrange a few pieces of crumpled foil around shells to keep them upright. Scoop flesh out of medium shells into same bowl (you should have 6 cups squash); discard medium shells. Using a potato masher or spatula, mix in salt, pepper, nutmeg, 1 Tbsp. reserved bacon fat, and remaining 1 cup cream, 3/4 cup cheese, and 1 Tbsp. sugar until smooth. Fold in 2 Tbsp. chives. Divide filling between large squash shells, then create attractive swoops with a spoon. Bake squash until warmed through, 20-30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, using an electric mixer on medium-high speed or a whisk, whip chilled cream to medium peaks. Chill until ready to use.
• Dollop squash with whipped cream, then top with candied bacon bits and remaining 1 Tbsp. chives. Serve extra candied hazelnut-bacon bits on the side.
• Do Ahead
• Squash shells can be filled (not baked) 2 days ahead; cover and chill.