BUTTERNUT SQUASH GRATIN WITH ONIONS AND SAGE

BUTTERNUT SQUASH GRATIN WITH ONIONS AND SAGE image

Yield 4 people

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/4 cup olive oil
4 cups thinly sliced onion
4 thyme sprigs
2 T. chopped fresh sage or 2 tsp. dried sage
Salt and freshly milled pepper
6 cups butternut squash, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 cup flour
2 T. chopped parsley
1/2 cup Gruyere or Fontina
1/2 cup + 2 T. heated whole milk or Herb and Garlic Broth
1 cup fresh bread crumbs

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly oil or butter a 2-qt gratin dish. Heat half the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, thyme, and sage and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are lightly caramelized, about 15 minutes. Season with 1/2 tsp. salt and pepper to taste. Spread in the gratin dish, return the skillet to medium heat, and add the remaining oil. Toss the squash in the flour, letting the excess fall away. Add it to the pan and cook until it begins to brown in places on both sides, about 7 minutes. Add the parsley, season with sale and plenty of pepper, and cook for 1 minute more. Layer the squash over the onions, cover with the cheese, then add the milk. Cover and bake for 25 minutes, then uncover, add the bread crumbs, and bake until the top is browned and the liquid absorbed, about 25 minutes more.