Author Notes
This simple, decadent little side dish cloaks the humble butternut squash in a sweet, silky bath of brown butter, earthy sage and sharp, salty pancetta. Serve with roasted meats or with a holiday meal. —mariaraynal
Ingredients
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1
slice pancetta, about 1/4 inch thick, cubed
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2
large shallots, thinly sliced
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4 cups
butternut squash, sliced into 1/4 inch cubes
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10
sage leaves, thinly sliced
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2-3 tablespoons
brown butter
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kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
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extra virgin olive oil, as needed
Directions
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Place pancetta into large skillet over medium heat and cook for about five minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly brown. Remove with slotted spoon, set aside in a small bowl, and remove all but two tablespoons of pancetta fat from the pan.
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Saute shallots in the pancetta fat, adding salt and pepper, until lightly brown, stirring frequently. Remove and place with pancetta.
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Place butternut squash in skillet and cook for 10-15 minutes. If needed, add a bit of olive oil, just enough to lightly slick the pan.
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When squash is golden brown, add pancetta, shallots and sage back into pan and stir gently to combine. Taste and correct seasonings if needed.
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While squash cooks, melt butter in a small pot over low until it turns a light, nutty brown. Just before serving, drizzle the brown butter over the squash.
I'm a self-trained home cook and freelance food writer who enjoys cooking and eating seasonally and locally whenever possible. When I travel, visiting the farmers' markets, local groceries and specialty food shops is as important as the shopping, museums and restaurants. I love to immerse myself in cookbooks, then go into the kitchen and experiment; and writing about food and the chefs who cook it is my latest pursuit. By day, I'm an executive speechwriter and event planner.
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