Pasta Pan Fried With Butternut Squash And Fried Sage Recipes

PASTA PAN-FRIED WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH, FRIED SAGE, AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 375°.
• Cut the butternut squash in half and scoop out the strings and seeds the middle cavity.
• Flip the squash halves upside down and peel them.
• Cut the squash into 1-inch cubes.
• Toss with the onion, garlic, a drizzle of olive oil and salt and pepper.
• Mince about half of the fresh sage leaves and also toss with the squash.
• Spread the squash mixture in a thin layer on a large baking sheet and roast for about 40 minutes or until the squash is soft.
• Heat salted pasta water to boiling and cook the farfalle until al dente.
• Drain and set aside.
• As the squash finishes roasting, heat about two tablespoons of olive oil in a large high-sided sauté pan.
• The oil is ready when it pops and sputters. (Don't let it start smoking.)
• Drop in the rest of the sage leaves and fry for about a minute, or until they begin to just shrivel up.
• Remove with a slotted spoon and salt lightly.
• Crush with the back of a spoon.
• Add half the pasta to the pan, along with half the roasted squash mixture. Crumble in half the sage.
• Cook, stirring frequently, for five minutes or until the pasta is heated through and getting crispy on some of the edges.
• Add the pine nuts and cook for another minute.
• Stir in half the cheese and serve.
• (Repeat the last step with the rest of the ingredients. The originator of the recipe also wrote--We split it into two because none of our pans are big enough to accommodate the entire recipe. It's very important that you not crowd the pan too much - you want the pasta to really pan-fry, not just steam up.).

BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND FRIED SAGE PASTA

Steps:

• Cook penne as directed on package. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry sage, turning once, until crisp on both sides, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to a paper towel. Add onion and garlic to skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until soft and golden, about 3 minutes. Add squash, 3/4 cup water, salt and pepper. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until squash softens, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup cooking water. Return pasta to pot and add squash mixture; stir over low heat, adding some reserved cooking water if necessary, until pasta is coated, about 1 minute. Serve, garnished with cheese and sage.

PASTA WITH ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND SAGE

Steps:

• Dice the squash into half-inch cubes, and toss with olive oil and a dash of salt and pepper.
• Place on a greased baking sheet.
• Heat the oven to 350°, and roast the squash until soft.
• Roasting time will vary from 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the age of the squash.
• Remove from the oven and toss the squash with the chopped sage to infuse the flavor.
• Let cool.
• In a hot skillet, toast the breadcrumbs.
• (If desired, sauté a little garlic in oil until brown, then add the breadcrumbs and continue toasting.) In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add the pasta.
• Cook until the pasta is al dente (meaning it has a bit of resistance when bitten into).
• Drain the pasta, then toss with the squash, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper to taste.
• (If the pasta seems too dry, toss with a little chicken or vegetable stock, or a bit of the pasta water.) Garnish with fried sage leaves and Parmesan cheese shavings.