Maine Diver Scallops with Butternut Squash, Prosciutto, and Orange Rind Vapor
- 8 very thin slices prosciutto
- 2 cups medium-diced butternut squash, from the "neck" of the squash
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, divided
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3 cups chopped butternut squash, from the bottom of the squash (chopped in a food processor)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 6 cups water
- 8 oranges
- 8 very large Maine diver scallops (size U-10: under 10 a pound)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- Hot water, as needed
- Make the Garnish: Preheat the oven to 175 degrees F.
- Arrange the prosciutto on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet and bake until dried and crispy, about 3 hours.
- Set aside.
- (The prosciutto can be made up to 2 days in advance, and kept covered in an air-tight container.)
- When the prosciutto is done, combine the squash, water, 1 teaspoon butter, salt, and sugar in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has evaporated and the squash is tender and glazed.
- Make the Nage: Combine all the ingredients, except the water, in a pot and bring to a boil.
- Lower the heat and simmer for 45 minutes.
- Strain, discard the solids, and return to the pot.
- Boil until reduced to 3 cups.
- Set aside.
- (The nage can be made up to 3 days in advance and refrigerated, covered.)
- Make the Scallops and Orange Vapor: Using a vegetable peeler, peel the rind off the oranges and set aside.
- Reserve orange segments for another use.
- Preheat a large skillet over high heat.
- Season the scallops with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Add the oil and heat.
- Add the scallops and cook, turning once, until seared and just cooked through, about 3 minutes per side.
- Meanwhile, heat the nage in a saucepan over medium heat.
- While blending with an immersion blender, add the butter to the nage, little by little, to make frothy.
- Heat the remaining 1 teaspoon butter in a medium skillet over medium heat.
- Add the glazed butternut squash and reheat.
- Bring a teapot of water to a boil.
- Divide the glazed butternut squash among the center of 8 small bowls, and top each with a scallop.
- Spoon some of the frothy nage over each scallop and top each with piece of the crispy prosciutto.
- Place each bowl inside a heated larger bowl and surround with the orange rind.
- Place the bowls in front of your eagerly awaiting guest.
- Pour the water from the teapot over the orange rind to create orange vapor.
- Inhale the vapor while you eat.
butternut squash, water, unsalted butter, kosher salt, sugar, butternut squash, kosher salt, sugar, butter, water, oranges, kosher salt, canola oil, water
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/maine-diver-scallops-with-butternut-squash-prosciutto-and-orange-rind-vapor.html (may not work)