Parmesan-Crusted Winter Squash
This versatile recipe works with any number of squash—Butternut, Tetsukabuto, Acorn, Delicata or any other variety you like.
Ingredients:
1 large squash, or 2-3 smaller squash, peeled and cut into ¼-inch pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ cup panko-style bread crumbs
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 400°. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Toss the squash with olive oil and kosher salt to taste. Place the squash in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
3. Combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan, nutmeg, pepper, salt, garlic and thyme in a bowl. Stir to mix well. Sprinkle this all over the squash and roast until tender, about 40 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm or at room temperature.
Fried Zucchini Blossoms
The ultimate summer starter, incredibly beautiful and flavorful.
Ingredients:
12-16 zucchini blossoms
1 cup ricotta
1 large egg yolk
¾ cup Grana-style cheese, divided
½ cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
¾ cup chilled seltzer water or club soda
¼ cup finely-chopped mint
2 tablespoons each finely-chopped parsley and basil
3 cups vegetable oil, for frying
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Stir together ricotta, egg yolk, herbs, half of the cheese and a pinch each of salt and pepper in a small bowl.
2. Carefully open each blossom and fill with about 2-3 rounded teaspoons of the ricotta filling, gently twisting the end of the blossom to enclose. Tip: Use a pastry bag for this! (You may have filling left over.)
3. Whisk together flour, remaining cheese, about ¼ teaspoon salt, and seltzer in a small bowl.
4. Heat ½ inch oil to 375° in a 10-inch heavy skillet. Meanwhile, dip blossoms in the flour batter to thinly coat. Fry coated blossoms, turning once, until golden, 1 to 2 minutes total. Transfer with tongs to paper towels to drain. Coat and fry remaining blossoms. (Return oil to 375° between batches.) Season with salt and serve immediately.
Arugula Pesto
Stash this bright, zippy pesto in your freezer to add to the likes of pastas, soups or even grilled vegetables.
Ingredients:
4 cups arugula
1-2 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
1 cup olive oil
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. In a food processor, combine the pine nuts, garlic, arugula, Parmesan, and about 1 teaspoon salt and pulse to blend. With the machine running, pour in the olive oil through the food tube in a slow, steady stream and process until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper as needed.
Home for the Holidays Recipes
Take a break from the holiday hustle: In the grand tradition of our own Nonna Pat’s long-standing Sunday suppers, this week’s box includes fixings for a simple, satisfying meal to share with your nearest and dearest—from Nonna’s own handcrafted marinara sauce and fresh semolina spaghetti to fresh pillowy focaccia bread and a lovely French Pinot Noir to serve alongside. Also included: Nutty Grana-style cheese from the creamery, sweet and spicy Italian-style cookies and a plethora of winter’s produce that includes curly kale, hybrid winter squash, pomegranates, apples, pears and more. Happy holidays!
Here are a few recipe ideas for the week:
Grana Cheese with Honey & Red Pepper Flakes
The success of this lovely appetizer depends entirely on the quality of the ingredients, so don’t scrimp!
Beet, Carrot & Pomegranate Salad
This colorful salad is sure to brighten up your table.
Roasted Leeks
Seasoned with salt and pepper, these leeks make for a satisfying side.
Kale Gratin with Parmesan Bread Crumbs
This no-guilt gratin skips the cream, but still boasts big flavor thanks to a topping of toasty bread crumbs.
Roasted Carrots & Parsnips with Shallots
This recipe works well with any number of root vegetables—use whatever you have in your crisper!
Preserved Lemons
Toss these preserved beauties with roasted fingerlings potatoes, or whisk the pulp into a salad dressing or a Bloody Mary.
