Baked Fennel
This classic Italian finocchi gratinati is simply sublime.
Ingredients:
4 fennel bulbs, cored and sliced
4 tablespoons butter
1 cup Grana-style cheese, grated
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. In a frying pan over high heat, sauté the fennel slices with the butter for about 15 minutes until tender, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Transfer to a baking pan, sprinkle the fennel with the grated cheese and bake in a preheated oven at 350° for 10 minutes, until the cheese is golden brown and melted.
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.
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.
Broiled Heirloom Tomatoes
Topped with crispy Panko bread crumbs and Grana-style cheese, these beautiful tomatoes are a worthy supper side.
Ingredients:
4 heirloom tomatoes, sliced into rings
1 cup Panko bread crumbs
¾ cup freshly-grated Grana-style cheese
3 garlic cloves, minced
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to broil.
2. Lay sliced tomatoes in a baking dish, overlapping a few if needed. Sprinkle tomatoes with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. In a bowl, mix Panko, cheese, garlic and parsley with a spoon until combined. Evenly sprinkle the mixture over top of the tomatoes.
3. Broil for 2-3 minutes, or just until cheese and crumbs are golden. Remove and serve warm.
