Best Italian Summer Squash Polenta Bake Recipes

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POLENTA WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH



Polenta with Butternut Squash image

Categories     Side     Bake     Cornmeal     Butternut Squash     Fall     Bon Appétit

Yield Makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 pounds butternut squash, halved lengthwise, seeded
6 large garlic cloves, unpeeled
3 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 teaspoon dried rubbed sage
2 3/4 cups canned low-salt chicken broth
1 3/4 cups water
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 cups polenta (coarse cornmeal)*
1 tablespoon minced fresh sage
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 2 1/4 ounces)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Arrange squash, cut side up, in large roasting pan. Place garlic cloves in squash cavities. Drizzle oil over. Sprinkle with dried sage, salt and pepper. Cover with foil and bake until squash is tender, about 1 hour 35 minutes. Cool slightly. Peel squash and garlic. Transfer to processor and puree.
  • Combine broth, 1 3/4 cups water and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in heavy large saucepan. Bring to boil. Gradually whisk in polenta. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until mixture is very thick and creamy, stirring often, about 20 minutes. Stir in fresh sage and 3 cups squash puree (reserve any remaining puree for another use). Cook until heated through, about 2 minutes. Stir in cheese. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Stir over medium-low heat until heated through.)

CHEESY BAKED BUTTERNUT SQUASH POLENTA



Cheesy Baked Butternut Squash Polenta image

Butternut squash melts into the polenta as it cooks for this creamy make-ahead dish. Once transferred to a baking dish, pressing chunks of creamy Fontina cheese into the polenta ensures that once baked it will be full of gooey pockets of cheese throughout.

Provided by Anna Stockwell

Categories     Squash     Milk/Cream     Nutmeg     Cheese     Parmesan     Butter     Olive Oil     Sage     Fontina     Thanksgiving     Side     Bake     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Vegetarian

Yield 10-12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 Tbsp. kosher salt, plus more
1 cup coarse polenta (about 5 oz.)
1 medium butternut squash (about 2 lb.), peeled, seeds removed, cut into 1" pieces
2 cups whole milk
1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
1 1/2 oz. Parmesan, finely grated (about 1/2 cup)
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for pan
3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 cup sage leaves
1/2 lb. Fontina cheese, cut into 1/2" pieces

Steps:

  • Combine 1 Tbsp. salt and 6 cups water in a large pot and bring to a boil. Gradually whisk in polenta, then cook over medium-high heat, whisking constantly, until polenta just begins to thicken, about 5 minutes. Stir in squash, reduce heat to medium-low, and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until polenta is thick and no longer gritty, and squash mashes easily when pressed with the back of a spoon, 30-40 minutes.
  • Mix in milk and nutmeg, increase heat to medium-high, and cook, stirring constantly and smashing squash with the back of spoon, until squash is dissolved into the polenta, 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan and 1/4 cup butter until melted. Let cool slightly.
  • Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Add sage and cook, stirring, just until leaves are lightly crisped and darker in color, about 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer sage to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
  • Grease a shallow 3-qt. baking dish with butter, then transfer polenta mixture to baking dish. Scatter Fontina cheese over and press down lightly with spoon to submerge. Top with crisped sage. Let cool to room temperature, then cover and chill overnight and up to 2 days.
  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Uncover dish and bake casserole until bubbly and lightly browned on top, 30-35 minutes. Let sit 10 minutes before serving.

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