Recipe: Delicata Squash Stuffed with Orzo in a Sage Brown Butter Sauce

Delicata Squash Stuffed with Orzo in a Sage Brown Butter Sauce

This is the vegetarian entree I brought to our family Thanksgiving celebration at Sarina's folks' house. It was based on an early version of an entree that my friend Kit was testing at Cafe Flora. The first time I had a bite of it, it just said "Thanksgiving" to me, with the warm flavors of squash and brown butter. Kit's final dish ended up with an intensely flavored tomato sauce with lots of orange zest, which is also fantastic. I chose to do this one with sage, pumpkin seeds, and dried cranberries to maximize the late autumnal flavors.

The recipe below calls for delicata squash, which is really nice to work with because it is relatively small and the peel is delicate and edible (thus the name). One half of a squash is a perfect entree size, or one quarter would be a good side dish. If you can't find delicata, you could use acorn or any other winter squash.

Full disclosure: I made this by guesstimating amounts and without writing anything down as I went, and I did 16 portions, so the recipe below isn't precise. But it should be close enough that you can fine tune it to your own preference. You can do most of this recipe a day or two ahead and just heat and garnish when you are ready to serve them. Don't be put off because the recipe has 12 steps, it actually goes together pretty quick.

Delicata Squash Stuffed with Orzo in a Sage Brown Butter Sauce
Serves 4 as an entree
Preparation time: 45 minutes
Vegetarian, vegan if you use olive oil instead of the brown butter, gluten-free if you omit the breadcrumbs

• 2 delicata squash
• 10 T. unsalted butter
• 3 leaves fresh sage
• 6 oz. orzo pasta
• 1 T. lemon juice
• 1/2 c. dried cranberries, halved
• 1/2 c. pepitas (green, hulled pumpkin seeds - or substitute chopped almonds)
• 1/2 c. breadcrumbs (preferably homemade; not panko)
• handful of fresh pomegranate seeds
• italian parsley
• salt
• pepper

1. Carefully halve the squash, remove the seeds (a tablespoon or ice cream scoop works well), rub with oil and roast in the oven at 375 degrees until thoroughly tender. When they come out, rub the inside with a little butter.
2. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 8 T butter and allow it to keep cooking until it develops a nutty / caramel aroma and light brown color, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Taste (carefully), it should have a caramel flavor as well. If not, you haven't cooked it long enough.
3. While the butter is still hot, tear the sage leaves and add them in, allowing them to steep for awhile.
4. Boil the orzo according to package directions, being sure to leave it al dente.
5. Drain the orzo. Strain the brown butter, add the lemon juice, and toss with the orzo. You may not need all of the butter. If you have some left, try it on popcorn or brussel sprouts.
6. Toast the pepitas in a skillet, toaster oven, or oven until slightly browned and smelling good.
7. Add the cranberries and pepitas to the orzo.
8. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
9. Mound the orzo into the squash.
10. At this point you can refrigerate them for later use, or serve immediately.
11. To serve, sprinkle on a good layer of breadcrumbs and heat in oven. If reheating from cold, start covered with tinfoil and remove for the last few minutes.
12. Garnish with the parsley and pomegranate seeds, a good finishing salt (such as Maldon), and a grind of black pepper.

Note: an even better way to do this ahead would be to make the orzo mixture without the pepitas, and wait to add them and fill the squash just before heating. That way the pepitas will retain their crunch.

Comments

[Alpa]

This looks fabulous and so festive! I have a ton of couscous I need to use up, do you think this could work as a substitute for the orzo?

[Michael Natkin]

For sure! See this post for a tip on how to make the couscous come out fluffy, not heavy.

[res]

This looks fantastic! I am going to try it this weekend. What a clever use of orzo.

Thanks.