Butternut Squash Gratin with Creamed Spinach
- Two 2-pound butternut squash, necks only, peeled and each cut crosswise into sixteen 1/4-inch-thick rounds
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- One 10-ounce bag cleaned spinach, stemmed and rinsed
- 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons creme fraiche
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
- Preheat the oven to 425.
- Arrange the squash rounds on 2 rimmed baking sheets and brush with the olive oil.
- Season with salt and pepper and bake for 20 minutes, or until barely tender.
- Increase the oven temperature to 475.
- Meanwhile, set a medium saucepan over moderately high heat.
- Add the spinach, 1 handful at a time, and cook, stirring frequently, until wilted.
- Drain the spinach, squeeze dry and coarsely chop.
- In the same saucepan, bring the heavy cream to a boil, then simmer over low heat until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes.
- Add the spinach and simmer, stirring occasionally, until creamy, but not runny.
- Season with salt and pepper, transfer to a plate and let cool.
- Lightly oil a large, shallow baking dish.
- In a small bowl, stir the creme fraeche into the Parmesan.
- Spread the Parmesan cream on 8 squash rounds.
- Arrange 8 of the remaining rounds in the baking dish.
- Spoon a scant tablespoon of the creamed spinach over each round.
- Repeat this layering 2 more times and top with the rounds spread with Parmesan cream.
- Cover the gratins with foil and bake until heated through, about 10 minutes.
- Preheat the broiler.
- Uncover and broil the gratins for 2 minutes, or until browned.
- Transfer to plates and serve.
butternut squash, extravirgin olive oil, salt, heavy cream, creme fraiche, freshly grated parmesan
Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/butternut-squash-gratin-with-creamed-spinach (may not work)