Butternut squash polenta is an irresistible dish that combines two classic comfort foods - polenta and butternut squash - into one rich and flavorful meal. Not only is it bursting with nutrition, but its irresistible cheesy and creamy texture is sure to be a hit with people of all ages. Whether you're looking for a hearty weekday dinner or a special side dish for a holiday gathering, butternut squash polenta has all the makings of a culinary masterpiece.
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CHEESY BAKED BUTTERNUT SQUASH POLENTA
Butternut squash melts into the polenta as it cooks for this creamy make-ahead dish. Once transferred to a baking dish, pressing chunks of creamy Fontina cheese into the polenta ensures that once baked it will be full of gooey pockets of cheese throughout.
Provided by Anna Stockwell
Categories Squash Milk/Cream Nutmeg Cheese Parmesan Butter Olive Oil Sage Fontina Thanksgiving Side Bake Wheat/Gluten-Free Vegetarian
Yield 10-12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Combine 1 Tbsp. salt and 6 cups water in a large pot and bring to a boil. Gradually whisk in polenta, then cook over medium-high heat, whisking constantly, until polenta just begins to thicken, about 5 minutes. Stir in squash, reduce heat to medium-low, and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until polenta is thick and no longer gritty, and squash mashes easily when pressed with the back of a spoon, 30-40 minutes.
- Mix in milk and nutmeg, increase heat to medium-high, and cook, stirring constantly and smashing squash with the back of spoon, until squash is dissolved into the polenta, 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan and 1/4 cup butter until melted. Let cool slightly.
- Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Add sage and cook, stirring, just until leaves are lightly crisped and darker in color, about 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer sage to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Grease a shallow 3-qt. baking dish with butter, then transfer polenta mixture to baking dish. Scatter Fontina cheese over and press down lightly with spoon to submerge. Top with crisped sage. Let cool to room temperature, then cover and chill overnight and up to 2 days.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Uncover dish and bake casserole until bubbly and lightly browned on top, 30-35 minutes. Let sit 10 minutes before serving.
POLENTA WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH
Categories Side Bake Cornmeal Butternut Squash Fall Bon Appétit
Yield Makes 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Arrange squash, cut side up, in large roasting pan. Place garlic cloves in squash cavities. Drizzle oil over. Sprinkle with dried sage, salt and pepper. Cover with foil and bake until squash is tender, about 1 hour 35 minutes. Cool slightly. Peel squash and garlic. Transfer to processor and puree.
- Combine broth, 1 3/4 cups water and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in heavy large saucepan. Bring to boil. Gradually whisk in polenta. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until mixture is very thick and creamy, stirring often, about 20 minutes. Stir in fresh sage and 3 cups squash puree (reserve any remaining puree for another use). Cook until heated through, about 2 minutes. Stir in cheese. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Stir over medium-low heat until heated through.)
BUTTERNUT SQUASH POLENTA
Categories Vegetable Side Quick & Easy Cornmeal Butternut Squash Hominy/Cornmeal/Masa Gourmet Vegetarian Pescatarian Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher
Yield Makes 4 side-dish servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cook onion in 3 tablespoons butter in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until very soft, about 8 minutes. Stir in squash and cook, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes.
- Bring water, milk, salt, and pepper to a boil in a 4-quart heavy pot. Add polenta in a thin stream, whisking. Cook polenta at a bare simmer, stirring with a long-handled whisk and turning down heat as needed to prevent spattering, 5 minutes.
- Stir in squash mixture and cook, stirring, 3 minutes. Remove from heat, then stir in cheese and remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Serve immediately.
BUTTERNUT SQUASH POLENTA WITH SAUSAGE & ONION RECIPE - (4.6/5)
Provided by ltrodrigu
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a large pot over medium-high heat, combine 4 1/2 cups water, the salt and the bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Slowly whisk in polenta. Stir in squash. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring frequently, until polenta and squash are very tender, 20 to 30 minutes. If the mixture gets too thick while cooking, add a little more water to the pot. Stir in butter and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. While polenta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage, rosemary and fennel seeds if using. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is golden and cooked through, 7 to 10 minutes. (Do this in batches if necessary, adding oil if the pan looks dry.) Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate. Add more oil to the skillet if it looks dry, then add onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are tender and golden, 10 to 15 minutes. Return sausage to pan and stir to heat through. Spoon polenta into bowls and top with sausage and onion, garnished with rosemary if you like.
BUTTERNUT SQUASH POLENTA WITH SAUSAGE AND ONION
In this savory, satisfying dinner, finely ground polenta and grated butternut squash are cooked together in one pot, the squash adding sweetness to the savory cornmeal. Then browned sausages and onions seasoned with rosemary and fennel seeds are spooned on top to round out the meal. It's a dish simple enough for a weeknight, but the butternut squash makes it interesting enough to serve to guests.If you can't find finely ground polenta, you can substitute coarse; just add another cup of water and plan on cooking the mixture for an extra 10 to 15 minutes. You could also substitute coarsely ground cornmeal for the fine polenta. Try to avoid using instant (or quick-cooking) polenta, but if it's all you can find, add the squash, salt and bay leaf to the boiling water 15 minutes before stirring in the polenta, so the squash gets a chance to soften. Just do not use the prepared polenta that comes in a tube. You can grate the squash the day before and store it in a plastic bag in the fridge.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories dinner, main course
Time 45m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a large pot over medium-high heat, combine 4 1/2 cups water, the salt and the bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Slowly whisk in polenta. Stir in squash. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring frequently, until polenta and squash are very tender, 20 to 30 minutes. If the mixture gets too thick while cooking, add a little more water to the pot. Stir in butter and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- While polenta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage, rosemary and fennel seeds if using. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is golden and cooked through, 7 to 10 minutes. (Do this in batches if necessary, adding oil if the pan looks dry.) Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate.
- Add more oil to the skillet if it looks dry, then add onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are tender and golden, 10 to 15 minutes. Return sausage to pan and stir to heat through. Spoon polenta into bowls and top with sausage and onion, garnished with rosemary if you like.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 773, UnsaturatedFat 30 grams, Carbohydrate 41 grams, Fat 55 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 30 grams, SaturatedFat 19 grams, Sodium 1266 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams, TransFat 1 gram
Tips:
- Choose the right butternut squash: Look for small to medium-sized squash with a deep orange color and a firm, heavy feel.
- Roast the butternut squash before using it: This brings out its natural sweetness and flavor.
- Use a good quality polenta: Look for a brand that is made from 100% stone-ground cornmeal.
- Cook the polenta according to the package directions: Be sure to stir it constantly so that it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot.
- Season the polenta to taste: Add salt, pepper, and other spices to taste.
- Serve the polenta with your favorite toppings: Some popular options include roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, or a simple tomato sauce.
Conclusion:
Butternut squash polenta is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It's a great way to use up leftover butternut squash, and it's also a good source of fiber and nutrients. With its creamy texture and sweet flavor, butternut squash polenta is sure to be a hit with everyone at the table.
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