Kabocha Squash With Sage And Leeks Recipes

ROASTED KABOCHA SQUASH SOUP WITH PANCETTA AND SAGE

Steps:

• Roast squash:
• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Roast squash, cut sides down, in an oiled roasting pan in middle of oven until tender, about 1 hour. When cool enough to handle, scrape flesh from skin.
• Fry sage leaves while squash roasts:
• Heat vegetable oil in a deep small saucepan until it registers 365°F on a deep-fat thermometer. Fry sage leaves in 3 batches until crisp, 3 to 5 seconds. Transfer leaves with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
• Cook pancetta and make soup:
• Cook pancetta in a 4-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring, until browned. Transfer pancetta with slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
• Add olive oil to pancetta fat remaining in pot, then cook onion, stirring, until softened. Stir in garlic and chopped sage and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add squash, broth, and water and simmer 20 minutes to blend flavors.
• Purée soup in batches in a blender, transferring to a bowl. (Use caution when blending hot liquids.) Return soup to pot and reheat. If necessary, thin to desired consistency with water.
• Stir in vinegar and salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve sprinkled with pancetta and fried sage leaves.

KABOCHA SQUASH WITH SAGE AND LEEKS

Steps:

• preheat oven to 350.
• prepare squash by washing, poking 2-4 holes into center with sharp knife.
• bake whole squash in oven for 60-90 minutes, until soft.
• when squash is done, cut in half, remove seeds and fibers, and scrape flesh from skin into a bowl, mash but do not puree squash.
• melt butter in a large skillet.
• add sage leaves and fry until crisp 1-2 minutes.
• add leek and salt and continue heating 2-5 minutes until leeks are soft and translucent.
• now add squash to skillet and mix until all butter is incorporated.