Paul's Baked Squash Dinner with a Salad of Radicchio, Walnuts, and Parmesan

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Serving size:4
Prep Time:
Total Time:
Paul's Baked Squash Dinner with a Salad of Radicchio, Walnuts, and Parmesan

Ingredients

  • 2 large butternut squash (about 6 pounds total), split in half lengthwise, seeds and guts removed
  • 1/2 cup dried cherries or raisins
  • 1 medium apple, cored and diced large (about 1 1/4 cups)
  • 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp light brown sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter

TO MAKE THE SQUASH: Preheat the oven to 425°F.


Sprinkle the cherries or raisins in the cavities of the squash halves, distributing them more or less evenly. Cut the butter into 1-tablespoon pieces and put 1 piece in the cavity of each squash half.

 

Distribute the apple pieces in the squash cavities. Sprinkle the cinnamon over the squash cavities. Spoon the brown sugar into the squash cavities. Sprinkle the salt and pepper all over the squash cavities and flesh.


Place the squash, cavity side up, on a large rimmed baking sheet. Pour 1/4 cup of water onto the bottom of the sheet (to help the squash steam a bit). Cover the baking sheet fully with tin foil, set it on the middle oven rack, and bake for about 1 hour, until you can stick a fork in ’em.

 

    Ingredients

    • 1 medium head radicchio, bottom cut off, chopped
    • 3/4 cup chopped walnuts
    • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus a little extra for sprinkling (optional)
    • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
    • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
    • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
    • 1/4 tsp salt
    • 1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper

    TO MAKE THE SALAD: Pull the radicchio leaves apart and distribute them in a large bowl.


    Mix the walnuts in with the radicchio, tossing with your hands. Add the Parmesan, olive oil, both vinegars, salt, and pepper, and mix everything well with your hands, so that all the leaves are coated.

    TO FINISH THE DISH: Pick up a squash half with both hands (so you don’t lose any of the good stuff) and place it on a plate. Put the salad on the side.

     

    Use a spoon to scoop out about half of the mixture in- side the cavity and spoon it over the rest of the squash. If you’d like, sprinkle some more Parmesan over the top.

     

    Put a scoop of squash and some of the radicchio salad in your mouth at the same time. The sweetness of the squash, the texture of the cherries, the tartness and texture of the radicchio . . . awesome.

     

    Recipe courtesy of American Flavor by Andrew Carmellini/Ecco, 2011.