Best Savory Squash Gratin Recipes

SAVORY SQUASH GRATIN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees. Place garlic in an ovenproof ramekin, and drizzle with olive oil. Roast until light brown and very soft, about 20 minutes. Let stand until cool enough to handle; peel garlic and cut into slivers; set aside. Reduce oven temperature to 400 degrees.
• Peel squash, halve lengthwise, and seed. Cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices; set aside.
• Place kale in a steamer basket over boiling water, cover, and steam until bright green and wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat, and chop roughly. Squeeze out as much water as possible; set kale aside.
• Butter a 2 1/2-quart gratin dish. Distribute half the sliced squash in the dish, reserving the prettiest slices for the top layer. In a small bowl, combine nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Distribute half the sliced garlic over squash, and sprinkle with one-third of seasoning mixture and 1 teaspoon thyme.
• Arrange kale over squash, and sprinkle with one-third of the seasoning. Arrange remaining squash over kale, and sprinkle with remaining seasoning and 1 teaspoon thyme. Distribute remaining garlic over squash, tucking it between slices.
• Pour cream over assembled gratin, and cover with a piece of parchment. Bake until squash is soft when pierced with the tip of a knife, 40 to 45 minutes; halfway through the baking time, remove parchment, press down on squash with a spatula to compress and distribute the liquid; cover and continue baking. Meanwhile, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
• After 35 to 45 minutes, reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees and sprinkle breadcrumb mixture over squash; return to oven, and continue to bake, uncovered, until golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for 15 minutes. Garnish with remaining thyme.
• To reheat: Do not add final layer of breadcrumb mixture. Remove from the refrigerator, and let come to room temperature, 15 to 20 minutes. Cover with parchment paper, and reheat in a 400-degree oven for 20 minutes. Top with breadcrumb mixture, and bake until golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Garnish with thyme.

SAVORY BUTTERNUT SQUASH GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare the squash: Cut off and discard the stem of squash. Divide squash into two pieces by slicing through it horizontally. Peel each half with a sharp knife. Using a spoon, scoop out seeds. Then cut squash into 3/4 inch pieces, using a knife. Place squash slices in large saucepan, cover them with water and bring to a boil. Cook over high heat for 2 minutes then drain in a colander. Pour a thin layer of vegetable stock on the bottom of a 9 x 12 baking dish and alternate layers of squash and Gruyere, saving some cheese for the top. Add s&p to taste. Top with remaining veggie stock and bake 30 minutes. Remove from oven and add remaining cheese. Continue baking until cheese melts and slightly browns, about 10 minutes.