Reading my way around the blogosphere this past week, there has been a plethora of great recipes involving pumpkin. Two that caught my eye were Natalie’s Fiscalini cheddar risotto stuffed squash and Paula’s Risotto alla Zucca (pumpkin risotto).
I was particularly interested in these because 1) I knew I had a bunch of different squash type vegetables arriving in our organic box on Friday and 2) I needed a dinner that was easy to eat on the porch as we handed out candy to trick or treaters. We always have a few friends over to help – friends who live in apartments or condos and who don’t have kids coming round – and have a nice dinner and a few glasses of wine – much to the envy of the poor harangued parents taking their kids out. One year we ought to have adult tricks (i.e. wine!) to hand out. Some of those mums and dads looked like they needed a glass….
Anyway, I digress…
I loved the look of Natalie’s stuffed squash but the ones I was using would not have held much risotto had I not scraped some of the flesh out. I thought Paula’s risotto in Natalie’s squash would make a great compromise! So I simply halved them, salted, peppered and nutmegged them and roasted them for about two hours on 325F until the flesh was scoopable.
Once they were roasted, I scraped the flesh out and mashed it with a decent gob of butter (prob around 2 tablespoons). I seasoned with salt, pepper and more nutmeg and set it aside.
I followed Natalie’s recipe to a T making the risotto up until the point where you add the cheese. At this point, I moved over to Paula’s recipe, adding the squash puree with the cheese (I didn’t have any exotic cheeses on hand, just Parmesan and aged Gouda so that’s what I used).
Once I had stuffed them, I let them sit for about 30 minutes on top of a warm stove – we weren’t quite ready to eat. Just before I popped them in the oven at 350F for about 20 minutes, I sprinkled more grated cheese on top.
After 20 minutes warming through, I placed them under the broiler on high for about 5 minutes to make sure the cheese was brown.
The result? Cheese + risotto + butternut squash = perfect “sitting on the porch handing out candy to trick or treaters” meal. Easy to eat and warming. And more-ish. Even hard core carnivore Neil (who looked dubiously at his plate when I gave it to him) said he could and would have eaten more!!!
Thanks Nat and Paula for the inspiration!
Today is your last day to “buzz” my Pesto deconstructed pizzas here so I can demo my menu item in the Bertolli Sauce kitchen at the Foodbuzz Blogger Festival in San Francisco on November 7th!
Thanks!
Wow! Now THAT is a squash risotto! I love the serving it in the shell. Beautiful! And now I want pumpkin risotto too!
Awesome and delicious looking 🙂
I hv never tried a squash risotto. But that looks so interesting and creative. I would love that. Squash is such a lovely, healthy food. I love it.
OMG, this recipe is awesome! I wish I could get a bite right now!
wow! this looks absolutely delicious!! risotto and just about any form of squash is tasty! can't wait to try it out!
Looks beautiful. I think my little one will enjoy the presentation! In a pumpkin shell!
That looks delicious! And that's a good idea to have liquid treats for parents next Hallowe'en. We have a neighbour who hands out shots of Baileys!
What a great way to combine these two recipes. The finished product looks beautiful and delicious! Your friends must have been thrilled!
Wow, thanks for this! My recipes with pumpkin have been very simple, and I'm always looking for a way to make low sugar sweet pumpkin stuff. I should pay more attention to making it as a side that wouldn't involve sugar to begin with. Ah well. Any pumpkin works, and this squash looks fanstastic! Thanks. 🙂
Yum, delicious. Two great recipes combined into a fantastic one. Double the goodness of butternut squash. I absolutely love them. I better hunt them down. I heard they're available in the Philippines.
this looks awesome oh i hear ya on relaxing a lil. and great presentation
Looks so good!
mmm, gorgeous! that works so well together and i bet it was delicious!
This looks like such an awesome dish! I love the photo of the halved nutmeg, it's so cool!
That looks fantastic! I've been working with a lot of pumpkin lately, but I've got 2 butternut squash in my garden that are ready to be stuffed.
Mardi, this is simply beautiful! I'm so glad I could lend a little inspiration. I love it! Beautiful presentation 🙂 You've inspired me now!
Jamie – it's so simple but serving it in the shell really makes a difference.
Pegasuslegend – thanks!
Mary – you should def try this.
French cooking – I wish there were leftovers!
Cocina, Jen – thanks and yes, easy AND pretty!
Martha – shots of Bailey's? I love it!
Cookin' Canuk – they were pretty happy, yes!
Vicky – this is pretty healthy.
Divina – definitely worth hunting them down.
Chow, April – thanks!
Brie – oh SO good!
Fresh Local – yes I was rather proud of the nutmeg picture too!
My Man's Belly – oh, squash from your garden! How great!
Paula – thank YOU!
Oh my word doesn't this just look warm and devourable!!
Very lovely recipe! It looks wonderful!!!!
I also would like to thank you for the wonderful comments!!!
Rachel – I love it – "devourable"!!!
Miranda – you're welcome. Good luck! and thanks.
WOW. That looks AMAZING!!!
That looks SO amazing! What a perfect Halloween treat!!!
Looks great, love seasonal cooking.
That IS a plethora of squash!
LL
See you in SF!
Simply Life – thanks!
Kelly – It was!
Lori – can't wait to meet you!
I am loving this. Too bad cold weather is over. Must remember this for next year!
As one who was privileged to enjoy this lovely autumnal meal, it truly was delicious and I loved it served in the squash itself. So yummy. Thanks Mardi!
That looks absolutely mouthwatering! Just as well I have dinner up soon or I'd be so frustrated! 😛
Agree with Alicia – this one's a repeat.
As for me, my job was to roast the seeds from our pumpkin…yum.
Penny – lucky you the cold weather is over!!!
Alicia – you are welcome any time!
Lorraine – it was!
Neil – good to know!
YUMMM this looks so delicious and makes me want some cheesy risotto tonight! I'm glad I could inspire you 😉
Sounds so warm and comforting! Looks really good!
Looks and sounds wonderful… I will definitely have to make some of this!
Natalie – you are often a source of inspiration!
High Low – It's SO good!
Jen – oh you won't regret it!
that looks wonderful! i am so intimidated by risotto, and i just need to get over it and try it.