Summer Squash Ribbons with Lemon & Mint
This adaptation from a beloved Alice Waters recipe is seasoned with just the right amount of fragrant basil and zesty lemon.
Ingredients:
2-3 summer squash, such as Crookneck or Patty Pan
¼ bunch basil
2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
Extra virgin olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Slice the summer squash into thin strips, about 1/8 inch thick. (A mandolin makes this easier, but you can also use a vegetable peeler.)
2. Stack the basil leaves, and cut them thinly crosswise.
3. Layer the squash slices into a shallow dish. Sprinkle each layer with salt, pepper, basil, mint, lemon juice and olive oil. Let sit for at least 10 minutes and serve.
Pasta Salad with Smoked Salmon & Summer Greens
Tossed with a fresh lemon-dill vinaigrette, this pasta salad exudes the light, refreshing flavors of the season.
Ingredients:
1 pound Lagana Foods campanelle pasta
1 package Loki Fish Company smoked salmon, flaked into bite-size pieces
4 cups mixed summer greens, such as Mizuna and baby lettuces
Lemon-dill vinaigrette (see recipe)
2 tablespoons freshly-chopped parsley
2 teaspoons freshly-chopped mint
Olive oil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Over medium-high heat, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Drop in pasta and cook until al dente, about 7 minutes. Drain and drizzle with a tablespoon of olive to avoid noodles sticking together. Let cool to room temperature, tossing occasionally.
2. Put pasta into a large mixing bowl, tossing with lemon-dill vinaigrette to coat, reserving about 2 tablespoons. Then add smoked salmon and parsley and gently toss.
3. On a large serving platter, arrange greens, then top with pasta salad and drizzle with remaining vinaigrette. Garnish with fresh mint.
Sage Butter Pasta with Summer Squash
This light, summery pasta is deeply flavorful with a sage-butter sauce and crisp squash.
Ingredients:
1 pound pasta of your choice
2-3 assorted summer squash, washed and peeled
4 tablespoons butter
8 sage leaves
½ lemon, juiced
¼ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano or other Grana-style cheese, grated
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Place a large pot of generously salted water on the stove over medium-high heat, bring to a boil. Drop in pasta and cook until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain, reserving about ½ cup of the cooking liquid.
2. Meanwhile, slice the summer squash very thinly using a sharp knife or mandoline and season with salt and pepper.
3. Melt butter in a 12 to 14-inch sauté pan and continue cooking until golden brown in color. Add sage leaves and sauté until leaves are crisp. Add lemon juice, then gently pour drained pasta into saute pan and heat. Add the cheese and squash, toss to coat and serve immediately.
Lemon-Mint Spritzer
This fizzy concoction will help cool the palate after this week’s spicy red beans and rice!
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 cup packed mint leaves, stems removed
1 cup freshly-squeezed lemon juice
Ice
Club soda
Method:
1. To make mint simple syrup, combine sugar, water, and mint leaves in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Immediately reduce heat and allow to simmer for 2 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely. Strain the leaves.
3. To assemble the spritzer, add 1 ounce each of simple syrup and lemon juice to a tall glass filled with ice. Top with about 6 ounces of club soda. Stir. Garnish with fresh mint.
Cherry Tomato, Cucumber & Mint Salad
This low-maintenance salad is light and bright—perfect for a picnic!
Ingredients:
2 medium cucumbers, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded and sliced crosswise 1/4 inch thick
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ cup crème fraîche
¼ cup minced shallots
¼ cup finely chopped mint
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
½ teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
Freshly ground pepper
Method:
1. In a colander set over a bowl, toss the cucumbers with the salt and let stand for 1 hour. Rinse the cucumbers and pat dry.
2. In a medium bowl, mix the crème fraîche with the shallots, mint, lemon juice and zest and a generous pinch of pepper. Add the cucumbers and tomatoes, toss to coat and refrigerate for a few hours. Stir the salad just before serving.
Fall Salad with Roasted Squash, Apples & Candied Squash Seeds
Topped with a maple-mustard vinaigrette and candied squash seeds, this salad would pair nicely alongside this week’s antipasti bites.
Ingredients:
8 cups fall salad mix, or a mix of your favorite greens
1 apple, cut into large matchsticks
1½ cups cubed and roasted winter squash of your choice, such as Robin’s Koginut
¼ cup thinly-sliced red onion
â…“ cup crumbled feta cheese
½ cup candied squash seeds (see recipe)
Dressing:
¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Whisk all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl until combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. In a large bowl, toss the greens with half of the vinaigrette. Arrange the apple slices, squash, red onions, feta, and candied seeds on top of the greens. Drizzle with the remaining vinaigrette and serve.
Herb-Roasted Winter Squash
We turn to this simple method time and time again—the combination of sage, thyme and garlic infuses any variety of squash with a rich, wonderful flavor.
Ingredients:
1 Acorn, Delicata, Kabocha or other squash of your choice
4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
½ cup chopped yellow onion
2-3 tablespoons fresh sage
2-3 tablespoons fresh thyme
Olive oil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 375°. Cut squash in half and scoop out the seeds.
2. Fill cavity of both halves with garlic, onion, fresh sage and thyme, then drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
3. Place herb-filled halves face down on a lightly oiled baking dish and bake until done (the squash should be fork-tender).
Winter Squash Soup
Top this silky, creamy soup with candied squash seeds.
Ingredients:
2 winter squash, such as Delicata, halved lengthwise and seeded
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups chicken stock
¾ cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 325°. Place the squash, cut sides down, in a baking dish. Add a few tablespoons of water to the baking dish, cover with foil and bake 35-40 minutes or until tender. Cool.
2. In a large stock pot, melt butter. Add the onion and garlic cook over low heat, stirring occasionally until onion is translucent and garlic is fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
3. Scrape out the squash flesh from each half and add to the pot with the onions. Add the stock and cream. Cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes.
4. Purée the soup in a blender or food processor, or in the pot using an immersion blender. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.
Bucatini with Red Kuri Squash, Kale & Mushroom Confit
The classic pairing of squash and sage is utterly delicious combined with our housemade confit and pasta.
Ingredients:
For squash:
1 Red Kuri squash
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 teaspoons honey
1 tablespoon fresh sage leaves, coarsely torn
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
To finish:
½ cup half & half
½ cup grated Pecorino cheese
½ bunch Lacinato kale, ribs removed and greens roughly torn into bite-sized pieces
1 pound bucatini pasta
Farm & Larder mushroom confit
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 425°. Scrub squash well and cut in half lengthwise. Scoop out seeds and attached pulp; cut each half lengthwise again, then slice crosswise into ¾-inch thick slices.
2. In a small bowl, mix melted butter with honey. Arrange the squash in a single layer on a baking sheet and brush each piece with the butter and honey, reserving half of the mixture. Season the squash with salt and pepper and cover loosely with aluminum foil. Roast for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, add the fresh sage to the remaining butter-honey mixture. Remove the squash from the oven and turn them with tongs. Brush each piece with the butter mixture, season again with salt and pepper, and return to the oven, uncovered for 10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook al dente, about 8 minutes, reserving ½ cup of the cooking liquid. During the last minute of cooking, add the kale to blanch. Drain.
4. Combine the pasta and kale in a large serving bowl with half & half and Pecorino, adding pasta cooking liquid as needed to create a loose sauce. Add the squash slices and confit, toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper as needed, and top with an extra grating of Pecorino cheese.