Squash Puff Recipes

SQUASH PUFFS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425˚. Brush a 24-cup mini-muffin pan (preferably nonstick) with olive oil. Evenly sprinkle the sugar on the bottom of each cup. Unfold the puff pastry on a work surface and cut into 24 equal squares with a sharp knife.
• Toss the squash with the olive oil, rosemary, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a bowl. Place 1 piece in each muffin cup (it's OK if some of the squash pieces extend above the top of the cups). Press about 1/2 teaspoon cheese on top of each squash cube. Cover each with a piece of puff pastry, tucking the edges into the muffin cups.
• Bake until the pastry is golden and puffed, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes, then remove from the pan. Serve squash-side up.

SUMMER SQUASH PUFFS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a deep, heavy skillet or deep fryer to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C).
• Place the squash in a pot with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook 10 minutes, or until tender. Drain, and mash.
• In a bowl, mix 2 cups squash*, onion, and eggs. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, corn muffin mix, baking powder, and salt. Thoroughly blend the squash mixture into the flour mixture.
• Drop the squash and flour mixture by rounded tablespoons into the hot oil, and fry until evenly brown and crisp. Drain on paper towels.

SQUASH PUFFS

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine the squash, egg and onion. Combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder, sugar and salt; add to squash mixture and mix well. , In an electric skillet, heat 1/4 in. of oil to 365°. Drop batter by tablespoonfuls into oil. Fry, a few at a time, for 2-3 minutes or until crisp and golden, turning often. Drain on paper towels.

CHEDDAR-ZUCCHINI PUFF (FROM BETTER HOMES & GARDENS)

Steps:

• In medium saucepan, cook zucchini (or squash), covered, in a small amount of boiling water for 3-5 minutes or till tender. Drain well. Spread evenly in 8 x 1 1/2" round baking dish (or 8"square).
• In a bowl combine sour cream, egg yolk, flour, onion salt, and pepper. Stir in cheese. In a bowl, beat egg white till stiff peaks form (tips stand straight). Fold beaten egg white into sour cream mixture. Spoon atop squash.
• In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle over egg mixture. Bake in a 350 oven for 20-25 minutes or till golden. Makes 6 servings.

SQUASH PUFF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix all ingredients except 1/4 cup of the bread crumbs until well blended.
• Spoon into greased 1-1/2-qt. baking dish; sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup bread crumbs.
• Bake 30 min. or until squash mixture is heated through and top is lightly browned.

YELLOW SQUASH PUFFS

Steps:

• Combine the cooked squash and egg, stirring well.
• Combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt, stir well.
• Add squash mixture and onion; stir until blended.
• Drop squash mixture by level tablespoonful into hot oil.
• Cook until golden brown, turning once. Drain well on paper towels.

AUTUMN SQUASH SOUP WITH PUFF PASTRY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the squash half, cut side down, in a pie tin or small baking dish with 1/2 inch of water. Bake, uncovered, until the flesh can be easily pierced with the tip of a paring knife, about 40 minutes, adding a little more water if necessary. When cool, scoop the flesh out of the skin. You should have about 1 cup.
• Pierce the sweet potato in several places with a fork. Place it in a pie tin or on a baking sheet and bake alongside the squash until tender when pierced, about 1 hour. When cool enough to handle, scoop the flesh out of the skin. You should have about 1 cup.
• Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the brandy and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes to burn off the alcohol. Add the squash, sweet potato, ginger, cinnamon, and stock. Bring to a simmer and cook gently for about 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
• In a blender or food processor, puree the contents of the pot until smooth. Pour into a clean pot. Whisk in the cream. Thin with additional stock if needed to achieve a pleasing soup consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Let cool to room temperature.
• Preheat the oven to 425°F. On a lightly floured work surface, roll the puff pastry to a 1/8-inch thickness. Cut 6 rounds, each 2 inches larger in diameter than the top of the soup bowl (for a 5-inch bowl, cut a 7-inch round). To guide you, invert a bowl onto the flattened pastry and cut around it. You can gather and reroll the scraps once. Put the rounds on a baking sheet and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
• Divide the soup among 6 ovenproof bowls. Brush the rim of each bowl with egg wash. Cover with a round of pastry and press the pastry firmly around the sides so the top is taut, like a drum. Make sure there are no cracks in the pastry. Brush the tops lightly with egg wash.
• Bake until the pastry is puffed and golden brown, about 25 minutes. Serve immediately.
• Enjoy with Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay Reserve or another full-bodied, oak-aged white wine.