Best Squash Puff Recipes

AUTUMN SQUASH SOUP WITH PUFF PASTRY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the squash half, cut side down, in a pie tin or small baking dish with 1/2 inch of water. Bake, uncovered, until the flesh can be easily pierced with the tip of a paring knife, about 40 minutes, adding a little more water if necessary. When cool, scoop the flesh out of the skin. You should have about 1 cup.
• Pierce the sweet potato in several places with a fork. Place it in a pie tin or on a baking sheet and bake alongside the squash until tender when pierced, about 1 hour. When cool enough to handle, scoop the flesh out of the skin. You should have about 1 cup.
• Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the brandy and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes to burn off the alcohol. Add the squash, sweet potato, ginger, cinnamon, and stock. Bring to a simmer and cook gently for about 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
• In a blender or food processor, puree the contents of the pot until smooth. Pour into a clean pot. Whisk in the cream. Thin with additional stock if needed to achieve a pleasing soup consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Let cool to room temperature.
• Preheat the oven to 425°F. On a lightly floured work surface, roll the puff pastry to a 1/8-inch thickness. Cut 6 rounds, each 2 inches larger in diameter than the top of the soup bowl (for a 5-inch bowl, cut a 7-inch round). To guide you, invert a bowl onto the flattened pastry and cut around it. You can gather and reroll the scraps once. Put the rounds on a baking sheet and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
• Divide the soup among 6 ovenproof bowls. Brush the rim of each bowl with egg wash. Cover with a round of pastry and press the pastry firmly around the sides so the top is taut, like a drum. Make sure there are no cracks in the pastry. Brush the tops lightly with egg wash.
• Bake until the pastry is puffed and golden brown, about 25 minutes. Serve immediately.
• Enjoy with Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay Reserve or another full-bodied, oak-aged white wine.

SQUASH PUFF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix all ingredients except 1/4 cup of the bread crumbs until well blended.
• Spoon into greased 1-1/2-qt. baking dish; sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup bread crumbs.
• Bake 30 min. or until squash mixture is heated through and top is lightly browned.

WINTER SQUASH PUFF

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine all ingredients; spoon into a greased 1-1/2-qt. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 65-70 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160°.