Roasted Butternut Squash & Turkey Pastina
- 3 pounds Butternut Squash
- 1 stick Unsalted Butter
- 2 Tablespoons Finely Chopped Sage Leaves
- 1/4 cups Balsamic Vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Sugar
- 1/4 cups Dark Unsulphured Molasses
- 6 cups Low-salt Chicken Broth
- 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 cup Finely Chopped Onion
- 2 teaspoons Finely Chopped Fresh Thyme Leaves
- 1- 1/2 pound Pastina Or Riso
- 3 cups Diced Cooked Turkey Breast
- 1/2 cups Grated Parmesan Cheese
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Peel the squash, cut, scoop out the seeds and cut into 1-inch dice.
- Place in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- When butter stops foaming and turns a light brown, add the sage, balsamic vinegar, sugar and molasses.
- (Be careful as it will sizzle.)
- Mix well and let simmer for 1 to 2 minutes to led it meld together.
- Pour the vinegar mixture over the squash and toss well to coat.
- Season lightly with salt and pepper and transfer to a foil-lined, heavy duty rimmed baking sheet large enough to hold squash in a single layer.
- Place in preheated oven and roast, tossing at least once, until tender and caramelized, about 25 to 30 minutes.
- Set aside until cool enough to handle but still warm enough so the liquid is still runny.
- Pour the contents of the baking sheet into a food processor (including liquid) and process until smooth.
- At this point, you can use it, refrigerate for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Bring the chicken broth to a low simmer in a saucepan.
- Heat oil in a large saute pan or deep skillet.
- Add the onion and cook until soft but not brown.
- Add the thyme; stir, and add pastina.
- Stir and add 2 cups broth.
- Bring to a simmer, adding chicken broth 1/2 cup at a time as the previous addition is absorbed, stirring to prevent the pastina from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Do this until the pasta is al dente, about 15 minutes.
- (This process resembles the cooking method for risotto.)
- Add roasted squash and turkey to reheat.
- Stir well.
- It should be quite loose, like a thick soup.
- Add more broth if needed.
- Add 1/2 cup parmesan cheese and stir.
- Taste for seasoning.
- Tastes great with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar in each bowl, and if you like, a little more parmesan cheese.
- If serving as leftovers, you may need to add additional broth when reheating.
- The pastina will soak up all the liquid that you give it!
- Enjoy!
butternut squash, butter, sage, balsamic vinegar, sugar, molasses, lowsalt, olive oil, onion, thyme, parmesan cheese
Taken from tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/roasted-butternut-squash-turkey-pastina/ (may not work)