Butternut Squash with Walnuts & Vanilla

• porții: 4 servings
• timp activ: 10 minutes
• timp total: 40 minutes

Ingrediente

1 butternut squash, about 2 pounds, peeled, seeds removed, flesh cut into 1-inch cubes (see how to cut and peel a butternut squash)

3 bay leaves (if boiling the squash)

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (if roasting the squash)

Salt

1 heaping cup of walnuts (can substitute pecans or pine nuts)

2 to 3 tablespoons butter

2 teaspoons grated ginger

1 to 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

Black pepper to taste

Instrucțiuni

Roast or boil the cubed squash: If roasting: Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat the cubed squash with a little olive oil and spread out onto a baking tray. Sprinkle with salt and roast until the cubes begin to brown, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven. If boiling: Put 4 cups of water into a medium-sized pot and add the bay leaves. Bring to a simmer. Add the squash to the pot. Boil, covered for 10 minutes. Drain.

Toast the walnuts: Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and toast the walnuts. Stir frequently or they will burn. Once they start to brown, and you can smell the aroma of toasted walnuts, remove from heat.

Melt the butter: Melt the butter in the pan with the walnuts over medium-high heat. Toss the walnuts to coat with butter, then add the squash. Toss them to coat with butter.

Add the grated ginger, vanilla extract, black pepper, a little salt, and dried thyme: Toss once more. Turn off the heat and squeeze some lemon juice over everything. Taste for salt and lemon and add more to taste. If you want this to be a bit more luxurious, mix in another tablespoon of butter or two before serving. Did you love this recipe? Let us know with a rating and review!