Butternut Squash Polenta with Salsa Rustica

By loubaby • October 24, 2010 • 0 Comments

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Author Notes: I love Polenta...any form, shape. And I love Butternut Squash...decided to combine these 2 favorites..but needed a sauce of some kind...decided to make it absolutely Italian....so did a sauce, but didn't want a spaghetti sauce....this sauce evolved. - loubaby

Serves 6-8

2 pounds butternut squash, peeled
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/3 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
1 spanish onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary
2 teaspoons sugar
Salt and Fresh Ground Pepper
6 cups water
2 cups polenta
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 pound mozzarella, shredded
1/2 cup Fresh Parmesan Cheese
Salsa Rustica
1/4 cup Olive oil
1 3/4 pound cherry tomatoes
1 small red onion, peeled, quartered
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup Italian black olives, chopped
4 anchovy fillets, minced
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons shredded fresh basil leaves
Salt and fresh ground black pepper

Cut Squash into ½ inch pieces; place on a large foiled-lined jelly roll pan and cook for about 30 minutes or until tender.
Meanwhile, heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add onion, rosemary and sugar; cook over moderately low heat about 30 minutes until onions are caramelized. Season with salt and pepper.
Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Whisk in the polenta and 1 teaspoon of salt. Cook over very low heat, stirring frequently, until cooked, about 30 minutes. Stir in butter.
Add squash, walnuts, onion mixture, mozzarella and 1/2 of the Parmesan cheese to the Polenta. Pour polenta mixture into 2 greased 9-inch cake pans. Refrigerate polenta until firm, at least 2 hours.
Meanwhile, make Salsa. Heat a large skillet over high heat. Add 1 Tbl olive oil, tomatoes, red onion and cook until charred all over, about 3-5 minutes, turning frequently. Remove from heat; chop the vegetables. Stir in garlic, olives, anchovies, vinegar, basil and the remaining oil. Season with salt and pepper.
To Serve: Preheat oven to 375. Sprinkle Polenta with the remaining Parmesan cheese. Bake about 45 minutes, until the top is browned. Let stand 5-10 minutes before cutting it into pie shaped wedges. Serve with Salsa Rustica.