Orecchiette With Butternut Squash Cinnamon And Mint Recipes

ORECCHIETTE WITH SUMMER SQUASH

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs for al dente. Ladle 1 1/2 cups cooking water into a liquid measuring cup and set aside, then drain the pasta in a colander.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil and garlic together in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring, until the garlic is browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the squash and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Reduce the heat to medium, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the squash is very tender and starting to break down, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Add 3/4 cup of the reserved cooking water to the squash and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring and breaking up the squash with a wooden spoon, until the sauce is slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Add the pasta and toss until well coated. Add more cooking water to loosen, as needed. Season with salt.
• Divide the pasta among bowls. Drizzle with more olive oil and sprinkle with the Parmesan.

ORECCHIETTE WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Combine the olive oil, garlic and sausage in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Remove the garlic and sausage with a slotted spoon to a plate, keeping all the oil in the skillet. Add the squash to the skillet; season with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the squash is lightly browned and tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the oregano.
• When you add the squash to the skillet, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook as the label directs for al dente. Reserve 1 1/2 cups cooking water, then drain.
• Add the sausage and garlic, pasta and 1 cup cooking water to the skillet with the squash. Cook, tossing occasionally, until the pasta is well coated, about 1 minute. Add more of the remaining cooking water if the mixture seems dry; season with salt.
• Divide the pasta among bowls. Top with the Parmesan and sprinkle with red pepper flakes and/or basil.

ORECCHIETTE WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND SAGE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a large straight-sided skillet over medium heat. Add squash seeds and pulp. Cook, stirring occasionally, until seeds puff and turn golden, 10 minutes. Season with salt; transfer to a plate. Add 2 tablespoons butter to skillet; melt. Add sage and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 2 minutes. Transfer to another plate. Add squash flesh to skillet. Season with salt, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 10 minutes.
• Stir in pasta, 1/2 cup pasta water, and remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Simmer until thickened slightly, about 2 minutes. Add more pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, until pasta is evenly coated; season with salt. Top with squash pulp and seeds, sage leaves, ricotta, and poppy seeds. Drizzle with oil and serve.