Butternut Squash Gratin

in Casseroles, Cheddar, Gruyere, Holidays, Panko, Parmesan, Side Dish, Squash, Swiss cheese, Vegetables on Friday, November 25, 2011

Freedom From Want

Norman Rockwell

It is doubtful if the Pilgrim’s had potatoes on their Thanksgiving table but, they most likely did have squash that the Indians brought with them to the feast. In fact, most of the food at their first Thanksgiving, being American foodstuff, was new to the Pilgrim’s. The main meal was corn meal mush with nuts and fruit, probably deer and game birds, squash and pumpkin. "Squash, so American that its very name is Indian: it is a shortening of the Narragansett 'askutashquash.' As this means literally something that is eaten raw, we are entitled to believe that this was the way the Indians ate it." - Eating in America, by Waverley Root and Richard de Rochemont

Did you like squash when you were a kid? I do not remember ever eating squash as a child, maybe Mom did cook it occasionally but that doesn't mean I ate it. One person's yummy food can be another person's yucky food but, new tastes can be acquired with just the right recipe! I don't get quite as emotional about it as Mario Batali does though, "You know, when you get your first asparagus, or your first squash, or your first really good tomato of the season, those are the moments that define the cook's year. I get more excited by that than anything else."

I probably changed when I ate a Squash Casserole somewhere and then learned to eat it baked with spices and Parmesan cheese and loved it. So now, Thanksgiving, is the perfect time for this delicious squash dish! It is wonderful with all the seasonings, panko and the tasty cheese topping.

Think of squash this way, "You can enjoy it with the added advantage of not needing a tennis court or a racquet." And if you don't have storage room for it, it will feel right at home sitting in your wine rack!

Butternut Squash Gratin

Ingredients:

1 T. butter

½ white onion, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

1 ½ lb. butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into ¾” chunks

1t.brown sugar

½ c. chicken broth

4 oz. gruyere or swiss cheese, shredded

4 oz. extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

½ c. panko bread crumbs

¼ t. dried sage

¼ c. grated parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 2 quart casserole dish.

Melt butter in skillet, stir in onions and garlic. Cook until onions are soft and golden, about 10 minutes.

Add squash and brown sugar.

Continue cooking and stirring until the squash begins to brown on the edges, but is still somewhat firm in the center, about 10 minutes more.

Scrape the squash into prepared baking dish and pour in the chicken broth.

Wrap tightly with aluminum foil.

Bake in oven until the liquid has been absorbed and the squash is tender, about 45 minutes. In a bowl, toss together the Gruyere and cheddar cheese, breadcrumbs and thyme until evenly combined.

Remove foil from the baking dish and sprinkle cheese mixture over squash.

Sprinkle parmesan on top.

Place back in oven and bake uncovered for 15 minutes, until the top is slightly crunchy and golden brown.

Serves 6

ENJOY!

This entry was posted on Friday, November 25, 2011 at 4:51 AM and is filed under Casseroles, Cheddar, Gruyere, Holidays, Panko, Parmesan, Side Dish, Squash, Swiss cheese, Vegetables. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response.

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