Sometimes even I am still amazed that my favorite vegetable, the butternut squash, is so versatile. It can be roasted to top a pizza, pureed for a side dish, stuffed into ravioli, made into to a creamy soup, added to salads… the list goes on and on. One of my favorite dishes using this incredibly healthful vegetable is Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto with Candied Pecans.
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Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto with Candied Pecans garnished with pomegranate seeds on white plate with gold forks

 LET’S TALK ABOUT RICE BABY

Not just any rice is used to make risotto. Risotto is made using an Italian short grain rice called Arborio. When cooked the rounded grains remain firm and creamy because the starch content is a little higher than that of other rice grains.

A bag of Arborio rice to be used in Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto with Candied Pecans

 

 

Risotto is a Bit Like a Two Year Old:

When I I learned to make risotto my cooking teacher emphasized that “risotto needs lots of love” meaning this is not a dish you walk away from. Like a child, the more patience, love and attention you give it, the better it turns out! So plan to spend a leisurely hour in the kitchen, lovingly tending to your risotto.

Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto with Candied Pecans in white bowl with gold spoon

The Result:

A delicious, creamy, colorful vegetarian dish the whole family will love! Totally worth the the hour in the kitchen, and the loving care.

Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto with Candied Pecans garnished with pomegranate seeds and chives on white plate

 

Working With Butternut Squash:

Of course you have the option of buying pre-cut and peeled Butternut squash from the grocery store. My advice here is to make sure it’s very fresh if you decide to do so. If it has been sitting in plastic for more than a day my experience is that it doesn’t roast well. That said I understand wanting the convenience because working with butternut squash can be difficult unless you have the right tools. You need a good sharp knife (my favorite on sale now!) and a “Y” peeler. With these two tools peeling and cutting a butternut squash is a piece of cake! I promise!

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Roasting it is easy! Just drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt and pepper and roast.

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While squash is roasting caramelize pecans. You can see an in depth tutorial here. Of course you may always use raw nuts if you would rather skip the sugar, or buy store bought candied pecans. 

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Serving Suggestions:

I love to keep this dish vegetarian, but my husband always wants some form of protein (aka: meat) in his dinner, so to keep it simple I serve it with some store bought organic rotisserie chicken. So do whatever floats your boat! Whatever you choose it’ll be delicious.

Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto with Candied Pecans- Gluten free, vegetarian

 

The Recipe:  Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto with Candied Pecans

You will need: A medium sized pot, a“Y” peeler, and a good knife ! If you would rather buy candied pecans than make them, click here. 

Print
Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto with Candied Pecans
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
55 mins
 

A sweet and savory side dish or main course. Gluten free, vegetarian.

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: easy dinner recipe, easy side dish recipe, gluten-free recipe
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Linda Spiker
Ingredients
  • 1 Tablespoon butter 
  • 3 cups butternut squash peeled, diced into 1/2" cubes and roasted
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 med shallots peeled and sliced
  • 1 small clove garlic peeled and minced
  • 1 cup Arborio rice
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 4 cups hot chicken broth preferably homemade, my recipe linked above
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese finely grated (sometimes I use Gruyere)
  • 1/3 cup candies pecans recipe above or use store bought
  • 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
  • pomegranate seeds optional
  • chives chopped for garnish
Instructions
To Roast Butternut Squash:
  1. Preheat oven to 400 and place oven rack in upper third of oven.
  2. Peel butternut squash with a "y" peeler. Scoop out seeds, slice and cut into 1/2" cubes.
  3. Place on a parchment covered rimmed cookie sheet, drizzle with olive oil. Toss.
  4. Sprinkle with sea salt and fresh pepper, toss. Place in oven and roast for 40 minutes. While squash roasts, begin rice.
For rice:
  1. Prep shallots, chives, nuts
  2. Melt 1 T butter in medium size pot on med/high heat. Add shallots and saute for five minutes.
  3. Add garlic and saute for two more minutes.
  4. Add rice to pot and stir for two minutes.
  5. Add wine. Turn down heat to medium. Simmer till wine is absorbed, stirring constantly.
  6. Add broth, one cup at a time allowing broth to be absorbed between additions. Stirring frequently. It should take about 35 minutes to add all four cups of broth. Stay close to your risotto the entire time. Stirring and adding broth as needed.
  7. When rice is creamy and most of the broth has been absorbed, turn off heat.
  8. Add cinnamon, parmesan, a few pinches of sea salt, and freshly ground pepper (to taste). Stir.
  9. Add roasted butternut squash, I like mine with browned edges.
  10. Add pecans and stir.
  11. Garnish with chives and pomegranate seeds if in season, you can used dried cranberries if preferred.

 

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Post tags: gluten free, vegetarian