Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto

If the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, the shortcut to earning this (female) runner’s affections would be this recipe. Basically, this recipe takes several of my favourite ingredients (squash, spinach) and showcases them in my favourite grain-based medium (risotto). I really can’t remember printing off this recipe, although I know I must have. Instead, I prefer to think that the angels of delicious food left it in my recipe binder for me. I hope you like it too!

Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto

Ingredients

• 3 lb butternut squash
• 6 cups nonfat chicken broth
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice (9 oz)
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 5 tablespoons finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (1/2 oz)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage
• 4 oz arugula or baby spinach (6 cups), stems discarded and leaves very coarsely chopped

Directions

Roast squash:
Preheat oven to 450°F.

Halve squash lengthwise and seed, then cut crosswise into 1 1/2-inch-wide slices and season with salt. Roast slices, skin side down, in a shallow baking pan in middle of oven until tender and golden, about 50 minutes.

Set aside 6 crescent-shaped squash slices for serving and keep warm. Cut flesh from remaining slices into 1/2-inch pieces, discarding skin.

Start risotto after squash has been roasting 40 minutes:
Bring broth to a simmer and keep at a bare simmer, covered.

Meanwhile, cook onion in butter in a 4-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring, until softened, about 6 minutes. Add rice, garlic, and cumin and cook, stirring, 3 minutes.

Stir in 1/2 cup simmering broth and cook at a strong simmer, stirring frequently, until broth is absorbed. Continue simmering and adding broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly and letting each addition be absorbed before adding the next, until rice is creamy-looking but still al dente (it should be the consistency of thick soup), about 18 minutes total. (There will be leftover broth.)

Stir in squash pieces, then stir in cheese, salt, sage, and arugula and simmer, stirring, 1 minute. (If necessary, thin risotto with some leftover broth.)

Serve risotto immediately, spooned over reserved squash slices.

Wine recommendations: We had this with some Big House White, a California white that is a blend of Malvasia Bianca, Gruner Veltliner, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Chenin Blanc and five white grapes. We’re talking about a veritable stir-fry of grapes but I thought the pairing worked quite well. If you’d prefer to go with something simpler, I’d recommend a Chardonnay, Pinot Gris or Riesling.

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