Winter Squash Gratin Recipe 🍽️

Overview:

This Winter Squash Gratin recipe is a delightful adaptation that originated from a magazine clipping, offering a tantalizing combination of flavors centered around kabocha squash. If kabocha squash isn’t readily available, feel free to substitute with butternut squash or pumpkin for a similarly delicious outcome. Moreover, while fontinella cheese is recommended, feel free to experiment with substitutes such as asiago or gruyere to suit your taste preferences. Perfect for both casual family dinners and special occasions with guests, this dish is a savory delight that’s sure to please.

Key Information:

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 55 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Recipe Category: Vegetable
• Keywords: Low Cholesterol, Healthy, Potluck, Winter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Savory, Oven, < 4 Hours

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: 170.3
• Fat Content: 6.1g
• Saturated Fat Content: 3.7g
• Cholesterol Content: 16.2mg
• Sodium Content: 550mg
• Carbohydrate Content: 20.2g
• Fiber Content: 1.9g
• Sugar Content: 3.7g
• Protein Content: 9.7g

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of pumpkin (or kabocha squash), peeled and diced
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 1/2 cup of onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1 3/4 cups of skim milk
• 2 1/2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup of fontinella cheese, grated
• 1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon of freshly ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 1 slice of bread, preferably whole wheat

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).

   Related Articles

   • 
     Cajun Corn Chicken Delight
   • 
     Pietro’s Diavolata: A Flavorful Pork Pasta Delight
   • 
     Wholesome Harvest Muffins: No Fat, Low Sugar, High Fiber Delight
   • 
     Orange Cream Chocolate Swirl Fudge

2. Prepare the Squash: Arrange the diced pumpkin or kabocha squash in a single layer on a baking sheet coated with non-stick spray. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 25 minutes, or until tender.

3. Saute Onions: In a large nonstick skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onions and saute until they become tender and translucent.

4. Prepare Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the skim milk and all-purpose flour until well combined. Pour this mixture into the skillet with the sauteed onions. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens.

5. Add Cheese and Seasonings: Remove the skillet from the heat, and stir in the grated fontinella cheese, nutmeg, and freshly ground pepper. Continue stirring until the cheese has melted completely into the sauce.

6. Incorporate Squash: Gently fold the roasted squash into the cheese sauce until evenly coated. Transfer the mixture into a greased baking dish, preferably around 1-quart in size.

7. Prepare Bread Crumb Topping: Place the slice of bread in a food processor and pulse until coarse crumbs form, measuring about 2/3 cup in total. Add the chopped parsley and minced garlic to the bread crumbs, pulsing once or twice to combine.

8. Assemble and Bake: Sprinkle the prepared bread crumb mixture evenly over the top of the squash in the baking dish. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the topping turns golden brown and crisp.

9. Serve: Once baked to perfection, remove the gratin from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving.

10. Storage: Note: This gratin can be prepared ahead of time. Simply refrigerate it, reserving the bread crumbs separately, and reheat in a 400-degree Fahrenheit oven for about 30 minutes when ready to serve.

Enjoy this delightful Winter Squash Gratin as a wholesome and satisfying addition to your table, whether for a festive holiday gathering or a cozy family dinner. 🍲✨