Recipe: Butternut Squash

BUTTERNUT SQUASH GRATIN WITH HAZELNUT CRISP

Ingredients: 2 small butternut squashes (2 lbs. each), peeled and cut into ?" diced pieces 1 red onion, peeled and thinly sliced 12 oz half & half 1 ? cups grated fontina cheese 2 tsp. kosher salt ? tsp. ground black pepper 4 tbs. chopped parsley 6 strips applewood smoked bacon 1 cup toasted, blanched hazelnuts, chopped 1 cup bread crumbs

Directions: Preheat oven to 350º. In a large bowl, toss the squash, onion, cream, cheese, salt, pepper and 2 tbs. of the parsley. Spray a large shallow baking dish and scrape squash mixture into it. Sauté bacon in skillet until crisp, remove with slotted spoon, then add nuts to bacon pan and sauté until lightly browned. Add breadcrumbs, parsley, stir and remove from heat. Sprinkle this mixture over squash and bake until tender and crust is browned, about 40 minutes. Cool slightly before serving.

Yield: 8 servings