Recipe: Chunky Butternut Squash and Apple with Honey (steamed)

CHUNKY BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND APPLE WITH HONEY

"This unusual combination of squash cooked with chunks of apple and roughly mashed with honey and butter is amazing and addictive. Add a pinch of a favorite spice if you are so inclined, but I love it best plain and simple. Because I find prepping butternut squash cumbersome, I've come up with the method described in the recipe."

1 (1 1/2 to 2 pounds) butternut squash, halved, seeded, and cut into 2- or 3-inch chunks
2 crisp apples, peeled, quartered, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons honey*
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1 teaspoon minced fresh herb leaves, to match the honey (optional)

Place the squash in a steamer set over an inch or more of boiling water. Cover and steam for 15 minutes, until almost tender.

Add the apples to the squash, cover, and steam for about 15 minutes longer, or until the squash and apples are fork tender.

Let cool slightly. Select the chunks of squash from the steamer. Scoop the squash flesh from the skins, or if preferred cut the skin from the flesh with a paring knife.

Transfer the peeled squash and the apples to a large saucepan. Add the butter and honey, and with a potato masher or a big wooden spoon, roughly mash the squash and apples, leaving some chunks of each. Add the salt. Sprinkle with the fresh herb of choice.

*This is a great place to show off your most fragrant, interesting honey varieties. I love it with sage, rosemary, or oregano honey, but star thistle, wildflower, and many others will come through loud and clear as well.

Makes 4 servings
Recipe courtesy of Taste of Honey by Marie Simmons/Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC
Source: National Honey Board