Roasted Butternut Squash Panzanella Recipe
- 2 medium shallots, trimmed, peeled, and halved
- 3 medium garlic cloves, peeled
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 ounces day-old crusty bread, such as pain au levain, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 6 cups)
- 1 (3-pound) butternut squash
- 1/2 teaspoon ground sage
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped
- Heat the oven to 400 degrees F and arrange a rack in the middle.
- Place the shallots and garlic on an 8-inch-long piece of foil and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the oil.
- Bring the sides of the foil together and tightly fold down to seal into a packet.
- Place directly on the oven rack and roast until the shallots and garlic are softened and browned, about 45 minutes.
- Meanwhile, toast the bread and prepare and roast the squash: Place the bread in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Move the foil packet aside on the oven rack as necessary, place the bread in the oven, and bake until toasted, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Remove the bread to a large bowl and set aside.
- Wipe any crumbs off the baking sheet and set it aside.
- Leave the foil packet off to one side of the oven rack.
- Prepare the squash: Peel off the skin with a vegetable peeler.
- Trim the top and bottom.
- Cut the neck from the bulb of the squash.
- Halve each piece lengthwise and scrape out the seeds.
- Cut the squash into 1/2-inch cubes and place in a large bowl.
- Add the sage and 1 tablespoon of the oil, and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Toss until the squash pieces are evenly coated.
- Transfer the squash to the reserved baking sheet and spread into an even layer.
- Roast next to the foil packet for 15 minutes.
- Using a flat metal spatula, stir the squash, scraping it up from the baking sheet and spreading it back into an even layer.
- Continue roasting until the squash is browned on one or two sides and fork tender, about 10 to 15 minutes more.
- Place the baking sheet on a wire rack; set aside.
- When the shallots and garlic are ready, remove the foil packet from the oven and carefully open it.
- Transfer the shallots and garlic to a blender and add the vinegar, honey, and measured salt and pepper.
- Cover and blend on high speed until smooth.
- With the motor running, remove the small cap from the blender lid, slowly add the remaining 1/4 cup of oil in a thin stream, and blend until smooth.
- Leave the vinaigrette in the blender.
- Add the roasted squash, cranberries, and walnuts to the bowl with the bread.
- Drizzle with the vinaigrette and toss until all of the ingredients are well coated.
- Let sit at room temperature until the flavors meld and the bread softens slightly, at least 10 minutes.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
shallots, garlic, olive oil, crusty bread, butternut squash, ground sage, balsamic vinegar, honey, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, cranberries, walnuts
Taken from www.chowhound.com/recipes/roasted-butternut-squash-panzanella-30260 (may not work)