Caramelized Winter Squash With Pumpkin Seed Persillade

This method of flame-roasting a whole winter squash, just as you would roast a bell pepper, comes from the San Francisco chef Dominique Crenn. Surprisingly, the skin becomes soft, smoky and entirely edible. (The dish can also be made with squash chunks: see note at the end of the recipe.)

Caramelizing the fragrant mash at the last minute brings out the sweetness and smoke, and a fresh herb sauce brings it back to earth. The pumpkin seeds in the garlicky, green sauce, or persillade, echo the flavors of the squash.

Ingredients

For the squash and persillade:

• 3 to 4pounds (about 2) whole winter squash, such as butternut, banana or Hubbard (see note)
• ⅓cup sage leaves, loosely packed
• ⅔cup parsley leaves, loosely packed
• Zest of 1 lemon, freshly grated
• 2tablespoons toasted pumpkin seeds
• 1large garlic clove
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt
• Raw sugar or maple syrup

For the bread crumbs (optional):

• 2tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1cup coarse bread crumbs, preferably sourdough

• Nutritional Information

  • • Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

      556 calories; 15 grams fat; 4 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 7 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 109 grams carbohydrates; 15 grams dietary fiber; 45 grams sugars; 8 grams protein; 10 milligrams cholesterol; 1362 milligrams sodium

  Note: The information shown is DiningAndCooking.com’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees, or heat a gas grill to high. Line a rimmed sheet pan with foil, parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
2. Over a gas burner or on a grill, char the squash until skin is blackened and blistered, turning with tongs as if roasting a bell pepper. (Depending on size, this will take about 15 minutes.) Transfer squash to the prepared pan and bake until flesh and skin are soft, about 45 minutes. When cool enough to handle, use paper towels to rub off most of the blackened skin. Cut open. Use a knife or fingers to cut into chunks, discarding any tough pieces of skin.
3. Meanwhile, make the persillade: Using a large knife or small food processor, finely chop the herbs, zest and pumpkin seeds together. Transfer to a bowl or container. Crush or grate the garlic clove and add to the herb mixture. Pour in olive oil to cover and stir. Taste and add salt as needed. Set aside until ready to serve.
4. Make the optional bread crumbs: In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the bread crumbs and toast, raising the heat if necessary, until golden and crunchy, 3 to 4 minutes. Set aside.
5. Place the cooked squash in a bowl, drizzle with olive oil, salt and a pinch of sugar or drizzle of syrup. Using your hands or a pair of forks, toss roughly, breaking the pieces up into a rough, chunky mass. Season to taste and transfer to an ovenproof skillet or a sheet pan. (Recipe can be made up to this point and held at room temperature up to 4 hours in advance.)
6. Before serving, place the squash on lowest rack of oven and heat the broiler. When hot, raise the pan and broil until lightly charred on top. Use a spatula to place a serving on each plate, charred side up. Spoon the sauce around or over squash. Sprinkle with bread crumbs, if using, and serve immediately.

Tip

• Recipe can also be made with 8 to 10 cups of large peeled squash chunks instead of whole squash. Toss lightly to coat in olive oil, spread on a sheet pan, and bake at 375 degrees until very soft, about 35 minutes. Skip to Step 3 and proceed with recipe.