Best Butternut Squash Butter Recipes

BUTTERNUT SQUASH RAVIOLI WITH SAGE-BROWN BUTTER SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place the squash cut side up on a baking sheet. Place 1 tablespoon butter in the hollow of each half. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Cover the squash with a sheet of aluminum foil tucking in the edges.
• Bake squash in preheated oven until tender and easily pierced with a fork, 45 to 65 minutes.
• Scoop the cooked squash into a bowl, and mash until smooth. Mix in the allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, and Parmesan cheese until well blended. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Fill a deep pot with lightly salted water and bring to a boil.
• To make the ravioli, place a wonton wrapper on a clean, flat surface. Brush edges with the egg white. Place about 1 tablespoon of the squash mixture in the middle of the wonton. Cover with a second wonton wrapper. Repeat with remaining wonton wrappers and squash mixture until all have been used.
• Drop the ravioli into the boiling water, and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until tender. Remove, drain, and keep warm until sauce is prepared.
• To make the sauce, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the sage. Continue to cook and stir until the sage is crispy but not browned. Add salt and pepper to taste. Place 6 to 8 raviolis on serving plates, and drizzle with sauce.

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH RAVIOLI WITH A SAGE BROWN BUTTER SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large saute pan, over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter. Add the shallots and saute for 1 minute. Add the squash puree and cook until the mixture is slightly dry, about 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the cream and continue to cook for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in 3 tablespoons cheese and nutmeg, to taste. Season with salt and pepper. Cool completely.
• Cut the pasta ribbons into 3-inch squares. Place 2 teaspoons of the filling in the center of each pasta square. Bring 1 corner of the square to the other, forming a triangle and seal the pasta completely. Add the pasta to pot of boiling salted water. Cook until al dente, about 2 to 3 minutes or until the pasta floats and is pale in color.
• Remove the pasta from the water and drain well. Season the pasta with salt and pepper.
• In a large saute pan, melt the remaining 8 tablespoons of butter. Add the sage to the butter and continue to cook until the butter starts to brown. Remove from the heat.
• Place some of the pasta in the center of each serving plate. Spoon the butter sauce over the pasta. Sprinkle the 2 ounces of cheese over each plate and garnish with parsley.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH RAVIOLI WITH BROWN BUTTER SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Rub squash down with 1 tablespoon olive oil and place on a baking sheet. Cut the tops off of each clove of garlic, rub with oil, and wrap in foil. Place on the baking sheet.
• Roast in the preheated oven until squash and garlic cloves are soft and browned, about 30 minutes.
• Remove squash and garlic from the oven. Remove the garlic skin and transfer to the bowl of a food processor. Add squash along with ricotta, grated Parmesan, brown sugar, and salt for filling. Blend into a thick paste. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and set in the refrigerator until cool.
• While squash is roasting, whisk semolina, all-purpose flour, and salt for pasta together in a bowl. Dump onto a counter and push flour into a mound. Dig a well in the center. Crack eggs into the well and add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Start folding flour and egg onto each other; continue kneading and folding until it comes together as a dough. Add more flour or oil if it is too wet or dry, respectively. The final product should look smooth, and the dough should bounce back if you press your thumb into it. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes.
• If you have a pasta maker, pass the pasta through to make a pasta sheet about the thickness of a dime. If not, get to work with a roller on a lightly floured surface. Make several sheets.
• On one sheet, dollop about 2 tablespoons of squash filling 2 inches apart. Place another sheet over top and press the dough down around each lump of filling. Try to keep it tight, as you don't want a lot of air in the interior. But don't go too close, or you'll have filling trapped between pasta layers and ruin the seal. Use a ravioli stamp to stamp out and seal each ravioli. Set aside.
• In another pan, heat a thin layer of canola oil over medium heat. Working in batches, fry sage leaves until dark green and crispy. Remove to paper towel-lined plate to strain grease. Set aside.
• Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat; simmer, stirring frequently, until browned, fragrant, and foamy, with brown bits in it, 5 to 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in tarragon, thyme, and salt.
• While sauce is being prepared, bring a pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Add raviolis and boil until they float, about 5 minutes. Drain and plate.
• Ladle butter sauce over pasta and garnish with fried sage. Sprinkle with shredded Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH TORTELLINI WITH BROWN BUTTER SAUCE

Steps:

• To make the tortellini, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. On a foil-lined baking sheet toss together the butternut squash, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, herbs de Provence, salt, and pepper. Bake in the oven until soft and golden, about 25 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a small saute pan over medium heat. Cook the shallots and garlic until lightly golden, about 3 minutes.
• In a food processor, combine the butternut squash mixture, the shallot mixture, and the ricotta cheese and pulse a few times to blend. Add the crushed amaretti cookies, the nutmeg, and sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Pulse until smooth. The tortellini filling can be made one day ahead.
• To make the tortellini, lay out 6 wonton skins, keeping the remaining skins inside the package or under a very lightly dampened paper towel. Place 1 tablespoon of squash mixture in the middle of each skin. Dip a pastry brush in a little water and wet the edges of the skin. Gently fold the square wrapper into a triangle, making sure the edges are securely closed and there are no air pockets inside. Dampen the two bottom corners of the longest side of the triangle and gently bring them together, pressing lightly to secure. Place the formed tortellini on a baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Before laying out another 6 wonton sheets, be careful to dry the work surface. This will help keep tortellini from sticking to the baking sheet. Continue until all the butternut squash mixture is used. There should be approximately 36 tortellini. (The tortellini can be formed, frozen on the baking sheet, transferred to a tightly sealed plastic bag or container and stored for up to six months. To cook, simply toss the frozen ravioli into the salted boiling water and cook for 4 minutes.)
• To make the sauce and serve, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat.
• Add the sage, walnuts and cranberries and let cook until the butter starts to brown, about 3 minutes. Turn the heat off and season with salt, and pepper.
• Stir to combine. Then, gently place the tortellini in the boiling water and gently stir. When they begin to float they are done, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, gently spoon the tortellini onto a serving platter, Top with the brown butter sauce, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve.

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH RAVIOLI WITH SAGE, HAZELNUT AND BROWN BUTTER SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Place squash on a baking sheet and roast until soft 30 to 40 minutes. Scoop out flesh and run though a food mill. Place the puree into a medium saucepan and cook over low heat until almost dry. Add the remaining ingredients and season with salt and pepper to taste. Lay a sheet of pasta dough on a lightly floured work surface and distribute a heaping teaspoon-sized portion of the filling at least 2 inches apart. Use your fingertip or a brush to moisten the edges of the pasta sheet with the egg wash. Carefully place a second sheet of the pasta dough on top of the first and press with your fingertips to separate the rows of filling. Repeat with the remaining dough. With a ravioli cutter or pastry wheel, cut along straight lines on the vertical and horizontal to form each ravioli square. Press the edges closed with your fingertips to seal well. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully drop in the ravioli and cook for about 5 minutes. Drain, plate and spoon butter sauce over and garnish with finely chopped chives.
• Melt butter in a medium saute pan over medium heat and cook until the foam subsides and the butter begins to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in the hazelnuts and sage and season with salt and pepper to taste.

THOMAS KELLER'S BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP WITH BROWN BUTTER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a small baking sheet with aluminum foil. Cut the neck off the squash and set it aside. Cut the bulb in half and scoop out and discard seeds. Brush each half inside and out with about 1 1/2 teaspoons of the canola oil. Sprinkle the cavities with salt and pepper and tuck a sprig of sage into each. Place cut-side-down on the baking sheet and roast until completely tender, about 1 hour. Remove the squash from the oven and let cool, then scoop out and reserve the flesh (discard sage).
• Meanwhile, using a paring knife, peel away the skin from the neck of the squash until you reach the bright orange flesh. Cut the flesh into 1/2-inch pieces (you should have about 4 cups).
• Put the remaining canola oil in a stockpot over medium-high heat, add the leeks, carrots, shallots and onions and cook, stirring often, for about 6 minutes. Add the diced squash, garlic, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook gently for 3 minutes, reducing the heat as necessary to keep the garlic and squash from coloring. Stir in the honey and cook, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the stock and bouquet garni, bring to a simmer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until the squash is tender.
• Add the roasted squash and simmer gently for about 30 minutes for the flavors to blend. Remove from the heat and discard the bouquet garni. Transfer the soup to a blender, in batches, and purée. Strain the soup through a fine sieve into a bowl. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning. Let the soup cool, then refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Place the crème fraîche in a small chilled bowl and stir in nutmeg to taste. Whisk until the crème fraîche holds a shape. Cover and refrigerate.
• Gently reheat the soup until just hot. If it is too thick, add a little more vegetable stock. Heat a medium skillet over high heat. When it is very hot, add the butter and rotate the skillet over the heat as necessary to brown the butter evenly, scraping up any bits that settle in the bottom. As soon as the butter is a hazelnut brown, pour it into the pot of soup -- keep a safe distance, it may sputter -- then stir.
• Ladle the soup into six serving bowls. Top each with a dollop of crème fraîche. Grind some black pepper over the top and sprinkle on the chives. Drizzle a little olive oil over the top.

BROWN BUTTER AND SAGE BUTTERNUT SQUASH BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and place the squash in the pan.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until tender and translucent, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the onion to the pan with the squash.
• Return the skillet to the heat and add the remaining 5 tablespoons butter. Heat until the butter melts and begins to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. (The butter will begin to separate and sizzle. Take care to let it gently brown rather than burn. If the butter burns, throw it out and try again.) Stir in the sage. Drizzle the butter mixture over the squash and sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Use a wooden spoon to toss the mixture until the squash is evenly coated with the browned butter.
• Bake until the squash is tender and beginning to brown around the edges, about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and increase the temperature to 400 degrees F. Top the squash with the crackers and cook until the crackers are nicely golden brown, an additional 20 minutes.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH, SAGE, AND GOAT CHEESE RAVIOLI WITH HAZELNUT BROWN-BUTTER SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. and lightly grease a baking sheet.
• Make filling:
• Put squash halves, flesh sides down, an baking sheet and roast in middle of oven 30 minutes, or until flesh is very tender. When squash is cool enough to handle, scoop out flesh into a bowl and discard skin. Mash squash with a fork until smooth.
• While squash is roasting, in a skillet cook onion and sage in butter with salt and pepper to taste over moderate heat, stirring, 5 minutes, or until onion is golden brown. Stir in garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute.
• Cool onion mixture slightly and add to squash. Add goat cheese and stir to combine well.
• In a 6-quart kettle bring 5 quarts salted water to a gentle boil for ravioli.
• Put 1 won ton wrapper on a lightly floured surface, keeping remaining wrappers in plastic wrap, and mound 1 tablespoon filling in center. Lightly brush edges of wrapper with water and put a second wrapper over first, pressing down around filling to force out air and seal edges well. If desired, trim excess dough with a round cutter or sharp knife. Transfer ravioli to a dry kitchen towel. Make more ravioli with remaining wrappers and filling in same manner, transferring as formed to towel and turning occasionally to dry slightly.
• In skillet cook butter with hazelnuts over moderate heat until butter begins to brown, about 3 minutes, and immediately remove from heat (nuts will continue to cook). Season hazelnut butter with salt and pepper and keep warm, covered.
• Cook ravioli in 3 batches in gently boiling eater 6 minutes, or until they rise to surface and are tender (do not let water boil vigorously once ravioli have been added). Carefully transfer ravioli as cooked with a slotted spoon to a large shallow baking pan and add enough cooking water to reach 1/2 inch up side of pan. Keep ravioli warm, covered.
• Transfer ravioli with a slotted spoon ) letting excess cooking liquid drip off) to 6 plates and top with hazelnut brown-butter sauce.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH RAVIOLI WITH BROWN BUTTER SAGE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Place the squash on the prepared baking sheet and roast until easily pierced with the tip of a knife, about 1 hour. Set aside until cool enough to handle.
• Cut the roasted squash in half and remove the seeds with a spoon. Scoop 2 cups of the roasted squash flesh into a food processor (reserve any extra for another use). Add the grated Parmesan and nutmeg, season with salt and pepper and process until smooth. Check the consistency of the puree; if it is slightly wet and loose, add 2 tablespoons of the flour and process again. Check the consistency and add the third tablespoon, if needed. Transfer the filling to a bowl.
• Set up a pasta roller attachment on a stand mixer (or secure a hand roller on the side of your work surface). Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the dough until it is thin enough to pass through the pasta roller. Set your roller to the widest setting. Turn on the pasta roller and pass the dough through once. Fold the rolled-out piece of dough over itself, then pass through the roller again. If the edges of the dough begin to fray or the dough is sticky or damp, lightly dust both sides with flour. Repeat four or five more times, until the dough is smooth.
• Adjust the roller to the second widest setting, dust both sides of the dough with flour, and pass it through twice without folding. Repeat rolling, adjusting to a thinner setting each time, until the dough is thin enough that it is slightly translucent. Once the dough gets too long to work with, cut it in half and work with one piece at a time. (Dust the resting dough piece with semolina and hold under a kitchen towel while you finish rolling the other piece.)
• Dust a baking sheet and work surface with semolina flour. Lay out one sheet of freshly rolled pasta on the prepared surface. Square off the ends and trim the pasta into 4 equal-sized sheets. Spoon tablespoon-sized mounds of filling in two rows down the length of one pasta sheet, leaving about 1 inch of space between each mound. Lightly dampen the pasta around the filling (with a mister or brush) and carefully drape a second sheet of pasta over the filling to cover completely. Press firmly around each mound to squeeze out the air and seal the pasta sheets together. Trim the edges and cut the sheet into individual ravioli with a pizza cutter or rolling pasta cutter. Place the finished ravioli on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat the filling and cutting process with the remaining two pasta sheets.
• Finish rolling out the remaining pasta dough and repeat the filling and cutting process. Formed ravioli may be held in the refrigerator, in a single layer and dusted with semolina, for 24 hours or frozen for up to 3 months.
• Put the butter in a large saute pan over medium heat. Allow the butter to cook, stirring occasionally, until it is amber in color, 7 to 10 minutes. As soon as the butter changes color, remove it from the heat and add the sage and garlic. Set aside for the flavors to develop.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rapid boil. Gently drop the ravioli into the boiling water and stir immediately. Leave the ravioli to cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 3 minutes.
• Once cooked, lift the ravioli from the water with a spider or slotted spoon and add to the butter sauce with 1/4 cup pasta water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Hold at a simmer for 1 minute, tossing the ravioli with the sauce to coat well.
• Remove the garlic clove from the sauce. Divide the ravioli between bowls, pouring some of the sauce into each. Top with lemon zest and Parmesan curls.
• Mound the flour in the center of a clean countertop or cutting board. Make a well in the center of the flour 3 to 4 inches wide.
• Crack the eggs into the well and add a pinch of salt. Using a fork, break the yolks and begin to beat the eggs as you would if making scrambled eggs.
• Continue stirring the eggs with a fork in large circles, slowly incorporating the flour. When the eggs form a thick mass and become difficult to stir, about 3 minutes, fold the loose flour from the edges into the pile with a bench scraper and knead until a smooth dough forms. Discard any excess flour.
• Shape the dough into a flat disk, wrap tightly with plastic wrap and set aside to rest for 20 minutes before rolling. If waiting more than 1 hour, refrigerate or freeze the dough. The dough will keep refrigerated for up to 24 hours.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH STEAKS WITH BROWN BUTTER-SAGE SAUCE

Steps:

• Cut the neck off of squash; reserve base for another use. Trim the stem off the neck then peel. Resting neck on cut base, cut in half lengthwise, creating two lobes. Trim off outer rounded side of each piece to create two 3/4"-thick steaks (about 6 oz. per steak); reserve trimmed off sides for another use.
• Heat oil in a large heavy skillet over medium. Cook squash steaks, turning every 3 minutes, until deeply browned on both sides and fork-tender, about 15 minutes. Add butter, sage, and garlic to skillet, tilt pan toward you so that butter pools on one side, and use a large spoon to continually baste steaks with butter. Cook, basting, until butter is no longer bubbling, smells nutty, and is beginning to brown, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice; season with salt and pepper.
• Transfer squash steaks to plates and spoon sauce over.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH GNOCCHI WITH GARLIC-SAGE BUTTER OVER WILTED SPINACH

Steps:

• Pour water into the pot of a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®) and place a steamer basket inside. Place butternut squash and potatoes in the steamer basket. Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 5 minutes. Allow 15 minutes for pressure to build.
• Release pressure carefully using the quick-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, about 5 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid. Use a pot holder to remove the steamer basket and set aside to allow the squash and potatoes to cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
• Press the squash and potatoes through a ricer into a large bowl. Add egg and salt, and mix thoroughly. Sift about 1 1/2 cups of flour over the mixture and mix to combine. If the mixture is still sticky, add a bit more flour until it comes together. Turn out mixture onto a well-floured surface and knead slightly, adding more flour until the dough is no longer sticking to your hands or to the surface.
• Divide dough into 4 parts. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and dust with flour.
• Take 1 piece of dough and roll it into a 1/2-inch thick rope on the floured surface. Cut the rope lengthwise into 1/2-inch pieces. Working with 1 piece at a time, roll each piece down a floured gnocchi board to make ridges. Transfer gnocchi onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough. Place baking sheets in the freezer while you prepare the sauce and spinach.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, place wet spinach in a large skillet over medium heat. Cover and allow condensation to build until the spinach starts to wilt, about 3 minutes. Remove lid and stir the spinach until wilted and the pan begins to dry. Divide spinach among 4 serving plates.
• Combine butter and olive oil in the same skillet that you cooked the spinach. Heat over medium-high heat until mixture begins to foam. Add sage, garlic, and red pepper and swirl the pan to combine. Remove from heat.
• Cook gnocchi in boiling water until they float, 3 to 4 minutes per batch. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to the skillet with the garlic-sage butter. Toss lightly to coat. Place gnocchi on top of spinach on the serving plates and sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Serve immediately.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH GNOCCHI WITH SAGE BROWN BUTTER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut squash lengthwise in half; discard seeds. Place squash halves, cut side up, on baking sheet and brush with oil. Roast until squash is very tender when pierced with skewer and browned in spots, about 1 1/2 hours. Cool slightly. Scoop flesh from squash into processor; puree until smooth. Transfer to medium saucepan; stir constantly over medium heat until juices evaporate and puree thickens, about 5 minutes. Cool. Measure 1 cup (packed) squash puree (reserve remaining squash for another use).
• Meanwhile, cook potato in medium saucepan of boiling salted water until very tender, about 20 minutes. Drain. While potato is warm, press through potato ricer into medium bowl; cool completely. Measure 2 cups (loosely packed) riced potato (reserve remaining potato for another use).
• Mix squash, potato, 1/2 cup Parmesan, egg, nutmeg, and salt in large bowl. Gradually add 1 3/4 cups flour, kneading gently into mixture in bowl until dough holds together and is almost smooth. If dough is very sticky, add more flour by tablespoonfuls. Turn dough out onto floured surface; knead gently but briefly just until smooth. Divide dough into 8 equal pieces.
• Line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with parchment. Sprinkle parchment lightly with flour. Working with 1 dough piece at a time, roll dough out on floured surface to about 1/2-inch-thick rope. Cut rope crosswise into 3/4- inch pieces. Working with 1 piece at a time, roll gnocchi along back of fork tines dipped in flour, making ridges on 1 side. Transfer gnocchi to baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and chill at least 1 hour. DO AHEAD: Can be made 6 hours ahead. Keep chilled.
• Working in 2 batches, cook gnocchi in large pot of boiling salted water until very tender, 15 to 17 minutes (gnocchi will float to surface but may come to surface before being fully cooked). Using slotted spoon, transfer gnocchi to same parchment-lined baking sheets. Cool. DO AHEAD:Can be made 8 hours ahead. Cover loosely and chill.
• Cook butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat just until golden, stirring often, 3 to 4 minutes. Add sage; stir 1 minute. Add gnocchi; cook until heated through and coated with butter, 5 to 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan. Serve with additional Parmesan.

CHEESE TORTELLINI & BUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH BROWN BUTTER-SAGE

Steps:

• Cook squash in a saucepan of boiling salted water for 3 minutes. Add the tortellni; cook according to package directions and until squash is tender. Drain.
• Heat oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Add prosciutto, cook untilcrisp, then drain on a paper towel=lined plate. Return skillet to burner (with drippings still in pan); reduce heat to medium.
• Melt butter in the skillet. Add sage sprig and cook until butter brown, about 4 minutes; remove sage and discard. Stir in wine and sugar; cook 30 seconds, then add reserved squash, tortellini, and prosciutto back into pan. Toss to heat through.
• Off heat, finish with lemon juice, parsley, and pepper.

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH BROWN BUTTER VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Arrange a rack at the bottom of the oven and heat to 425 degrees. Slice the squash 1/2-inch-thick crosswise. (No need to peel.) Cut slices in half, if desired, to make half moons. Remove the seeds from the squash with a spoon and discard.
• On a rimmed baking sheet, toss the squash with the olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Spread in an even layer and roast on the bottom rack until browned, 20 to 25 minutes. Flip and roast until tender, another 5 to 10 minutes.
• After you flip the squash, make the brown butter: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium. Cook, swirling occasionally, until the foam subsides, the milk solids turn golden-brown and it smells nutty, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and add the vinegar and red-pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper and set aside on the stovetop until the squash is ready. (The heat from the oven keeps the butter from hardening.)
• Dip a piece of squash into the vinaigrette, try it, and adjust vinegar, salt and red-pepper flakes to taste. Spoon the vinaigrette over the squash and top with mint leaves, if using, and flaky salt.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH BROWN BUTTER

Steps:

• Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown. Add squash; saute, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and tender when pierced with a fork, about 16 minutes.
• Add chicken broth, the water, and brown sugar; cook until liquid has evaporated and squash is nicely caramelized, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat, and season with salt and pepper. Serve.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH TORTELLINI WITH A BROWN BUTTER SAGE SAUCE AND A

Steps:

• To make the tortellini, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. On a foil-lined baking sheet toss together the butternut squash, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, herbs de Provence, salt, and pepper. Bake in the oven until soft and golden, about 25 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a small saute pan over medium heat. Cook the shallots and garlic until lightly golden, about 3 minutes.
• In a food processor, combine the butternut squash mixture, the shallot mixture, and the ricotta cheese and pulse a few times to blend. Add the crushed amaretti cookies, the nutmeg, and sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Pulse until smooth. The tortellini filling can be made one day ahead.
• To make the tortellini, lay out 6 wonton skins, keeping the remaining skins inside the package or under a very lightly dampened paper towel. Place 1 tablespoon of squash mixture in the middle of each skin. Dip a pastry brush in a little water and wet the edges of the skin. Gently fold the square wrapper into a triangle, making sure the edges are securely closed and there are no air pockets inside. Dampen the two bottom corners of the longest side of the triangle and gently bring them together, pressing lightly to secure. Place the formed tortellini on a baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Before laying out another 6 wonton sheets, be careful to dry the work surface. This will help keep tortellini from sticking to the baking sheet. Continue until all the butternut squash mixture is used. There should be approximately 36 tortellini. (The tortellini can be formed, frozen on the baking sheet, transferred to a tightly sealed plastic bag or container and stored for up to six months. To cook, simply toss the frozen ravioli into the salted boiling water and cook for 4 minutes.).
• To make Port Wine Glaze, place all ingredients except butter in a small pot over medium-high heat and reduce to half about 3 ounces, whisk in butter and strain into a gravy boat or something similar.
• To make the sauce and serve, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat.
• Add the sage, pinenuts and let cook until the butter starts to brown, about 3 minutes. Turn the heat off and season with salt, and pepper.
• Stir to combine. Then, gently place the tortellini in the boiling water and gently stir. When they begin to float they are done, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, gently spoon the tortellini onto a serving platter, Top with the brown butter sauce, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and Wine glaze.

BROWN-BUTTER ORZO WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• In a medium Dutch oven, or a large (12-inch) skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Cook, swirling occasionally, until the foam subsides, the milk solids turn golden brown and it smells nutty and toasty, 3 to 4 minutes. (Watch carefully to see that it doesn't burn.)
• Stir in shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Add squash, sage, a large pinch of salt, the 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and the 1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes, and cook until squash is golden at the edges and begins to soften, 12 to 17 minutes.
• Add stock and bring to a simmer. Stir in orzo, lemon zest and the 1 teaspoon salt. Cover the pan and simmer over medium-low heat until orzo is just tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, 14 to 18 minutes, stirring once or twice. If the pan dries out before the orzo and squash are tender, add a splash or two of water.
• Remove pan from heat and stir in Parmesan. Taste and add more salt if needed, and a squeeze of lemon juice if the dish needs brightness. Dollop with ricotta if using, and sprinkle with more grated Parmesan and black pepper just before serving, garnishing the top with more red-pepper flakes and sage.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP WITH PUMPKIN BUTTER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 °F. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with the vegetable oil spray.
• Place the squash halves, cut side down, in the prepared dish. Pierce the skin sides several times with a fork. Bake until the squash is tender, about 45 minutes. Set aside until cool enough to handle.
• Using a large spoon, scrape the flesh from the cooked squash into a food processor. Discard the skins. Add 1 1/2 cups of the chicken broth, the cinnamon, marjoram, thyme, and nutmeg and puree until smooth. Transfer the puree to a large saucepan. Whisk the milk into the soup over medium heat. If you prefer a thinner consistency, add the remaining broth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Ladle the soup into warmed bowls. Top with a dollop of pumpkin butter and sprinkle with chopped pistachio nuts before serving.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH GNOCCHI WITH SAGE BUTTER

Steps:

• for gnocchi:.
• Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 350°F.
• Cut the squash in half lengthwise, through the stem end, and place on a greased cookie sheet.
• Roast until tender, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
• When cool enough to handle, scoop out and discard the seeds.
• Remove squash flesh (pulp) and place in a sieve.
• Set the sieve over a bowl to catch liquid and allow squash to drain in a refrigerator overnight.
• The next day, puree the squash in a food processor.
• Transfer puree to a bowl and add the eggs and salt, stirring to combine.
• Add the flour and blend thoroughly.
• The dough should feel sticky and soft.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• Using a teaspoon, form walnut-sized pieces of dough and push them off the spoon and into the water with your fingers.
• Alternately, use a pastry bag and a small knife.
• Cook the gnocchi in small batches, 10 to 15 pieces.
• Once the gnocchi have risen to the surface, poach for exactly 2 minutes.
• Remove gnocchi with a slotted spoon and set aside to drain.
• Repeat until all the dough is used up.
• for butter sauce:.
• Place butter in a large skillet and cook over medium heat until the foam subsides and the butter begins to lightly brown.
• Add the sage leaves and a pinch of salt and pepper.
• Add the gnocchi to the browned butter, tossing to coat.
• Sprinkle with Parmesan and serve immediately.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH RAVIOLI WITH SAGE BROWN BUTTER AND BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cut squash in 1/2 and scrape out seeds. Spread 1 tablespoon molasses in the cavity. Season with salt and pepper. Place cut side down on a roasting pan. Cook in the oven until very soft, about 1 hour. (See Chef's Notes.)
• Let cool to room temperature and scoop out flesh into the work bowl of a food processor.
• Puree squash until smooth, then spread on a baking sheet and return to the 375 degree oven to dry, about 10 minutes. The consistency will be like mashed potatoes. Scrape into a large mixing bowl.
• Heat the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat until it begins to brown. Immediately remove from heat and add remaining 1 tablespoon molasses and all the vinegar. Add to squash with mascarpone, Parmesan, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper and mix well. The recipe can be made ahead to this point (makes 2 cups filling,) Cover well and refrigerate 4 hours or up to 2 days.
• To fill the raviolis: Lay out a sheet of pasta dough on a lightly floured board. Cut into circles with a 3 1/2 inch pastry cutter. Put 1 tablespoon squash filling in the center of 1/2 the rounds using either a pastry bag or a small spoon. Leave a 1/2-inch border all around the filling. Moisten borders with water and top with remaining rounds of dough. Press all the air out and seal firmly by pressing all around with fingertips. Lay raviolis out to dry on a lightly floured board or baking sheet and lightly flour the tops. Repeat until you run out of dough and/or filling. To cook, boil in lightly salted water until tender, about 3 minutes. Reserve 2 ounces of the cooking water.
• Uncooked, filled raviolis may be used immediately or frozen for 2 months. Lay them out on sheet pans and place in freezer until frozen. Transfer to plastic bag.
• For the Sage Brown Butter: While raviolis are cooking, in a large saute pan, melt the butter with the sage and a pinch of salt until it foams and becomes light brown. Reserve.
• On medium heat toss the cooked raviolis in the sage butter then transfer to a serving platter or dishes. Add 2 ounces of the cooking water to the pan and swirl with any residual butter. Spoon the butter sauce over the raviolis, then finish with a generous grating of Parmesan and bittersweet chocolate.