Delicata Squash Sformato Recipes

ROASTED DELICATA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Drizzle olive oil into the bottom of baking dish to coat. Season squash halves with salt and pepper; arrange into baking dish with flesh side down.
• Bake in preheated oven until a fork easily pierces through the skin and flesh, about 25 minutes. Flip squash halves and roast 5 minutes more.

HOW TO COOK DELICATA SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius). Prepare a shallow baking dish by coating it lightly with nonstick cooking spray. You could also cover the dish with nonstick aluminum foil.
• Cut the squash into quarters. Use a sharp knife to cut the delicata squash in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds and fiber and divide each half once more. Use a serrated knife for best results. A knife with a smooth blade is more likely to slip on the skin of the squash, making it harder to cut open the squash and easier to accidentally cut yourself. Use a metal spoon or melon-baller to scoop out the seeds and "fuzzy" fibers inside the squash. Save the seeds for roasting, if desired. When cutting the halves into quarters, cut each half diagonally, working from the top corner to the opposite bottom corner. The resulting pieces should vaguely resemble boats.
• Rub the squash with butter. Use your hands to apply a generous coat of softened butter to the cut sides of the delicata. Allow the butter to sit out on the counter for 10 to 15 minutes prior to use in order to make it softer and easier to spread. Alternatively, you could also use butter or margarine spread from a tub.
• Season with salt. Sprinkle the salt over the delicata slices liberally. The salt can be used according to taste, but if you aren't sure how much to use, try a total of 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) of salt for one full squash. For a sweeter taste, add brown sugar, as well. Sprinkle up to 1 Tbsp (15 ml) of brown sugar over the slices, patting it down into place so that it sticks to the squash.
• Cook for 30 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven. The delicata squash should be tender enough for you to easily glide a knife through. The top should also be browned. If you used brown sugar, the top should be caramelized. Roasting at a lower temperature will make the squash even more tender. As such, you could also try roasting it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius) for a full hour.
• Serve warm. Eat the flesh of the squash directly out of the skin with a spoon or fork.

DELICATA SQUASH SFORMATO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Cut the squash in half lengthwise, remove the seeds, and pierce a few holes in the skin. Place the squash cut side down in a glass baking dish and roast in the oven until soft, 40 to 45 minutes. The timing may vary, so keep an eye on it. You want a few brown blisters and to be able to pierce it easily with a fork. Set aside and let cool.
• Put the crème fraîche, Jack cheese, thyme, salt, and pepper in a bowl and stir to combine.
• Once the squash is cool enough to handle, scoop the flesh away from the skin and put it in a bowl. Add the maple syrup and balsamic vinegar and mash the squash until smooth. Add the cheese mixture and stir to combine. Add the egg and nutmeg, giving the mixture a final stir.
• Grease an 8 by 8-inch baking dish on all sides and pour in the squash mixture. Turn the oven down to 375°F and bake until brown spots start to show on top, 30 to 40 minutes. Allow it to rest for 10 minutes before serving.