I know – two crazy recipes for butternut squash. Well, why not?
This one came from Sunset magazine, the Western equivalent of Southern Living. It’s based on a northern Italian pickling technique called carpione that’s traditionally used to preserve fish but works with any firm-fleshed seasonal vegetable.
Ingredients:
1 cup clear, filtered apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoons kosher salt 6 tablespoons sugar 1 small butternut squash Olive oil for frying 20 to 30 fresh sage leaves 10 to 12 garlic cloves, peeled
Preparation:
Put vinegar, salt, sugar, and 3 cups water in a saucepan and heat over medium-low heat until salt and sugar dissolve. Let cool.
Peel squash. Cut in quarters crosswise and scrape out seeds. Cut quarters in half, then into 1/4-in.-wide slices. Cut in half again.
Pour enough oil into a large deep pot to come at least 3/4 in. up sides; heat to 325° on a deep-fry thermometer. Fry squash in batches, turning often, until tender and golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Fry sage until crisp, about 45 seconds; drain. Fry garlic until golden, 1 to 2 minutes; drain. Save oil for another use.
Layer squash into a terrine or glass loaf pan (at least 1 1/2-qt. size). Top with garlic and sage and pour in enough cooled brine to cover by 1/2 in. Chill at least 1 hour.