Recipe: Winter Greens and Butternut Squash Gratin (using kale)

WINTER GREENS AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH GRATIN

"I have had, without fail, some form of cooked winter greens at every Thanksgiving meal of my entire life. In late November, the fields have been kissed with a touch of frost, something that Meme said brings out their sweetness. I added this dish several years ago, and it has become a family favorite."

2 teaspoons unsalted butter, plus more for the gratin dish
2 butternut squashes, (about 3 pounds total), cut in half lengthwise and seeded
1 (10 ounce) bag chopped kale
2 tablespoons pure olive oil
6 cloves garlic, very finely chopped
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Pinch of ground allspice
Leaves from 4 sprigs thyme, chopped
1 1/2 cups heavy (whipping) cream
FOR TOPPING:
3 tablespoons plain or whole-wheat fresh or Panko (Japanese) breadcrumbs
2/3 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (about 2 1/2 ounces)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a large gratin dish.

Peel the squash, then cut crosswise into 1/4-inch slices; set aside.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the kale and cook until just tender, about 5 minutes. Drain well in a colander, then squeeze out any excess water.

Heat the oil in a large saut pan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and the well-drained greens. Cook until the greens are slightly wilted, 3 to 4 minutes. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, place half the sliced squash in the prepared dish and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

For the seasoning mixture, combine the nutmeg, allspice, and thyme in a small bowl. Set aside.

Spoon the kale over the squash and sprinkle with half the seasoning mixture. Top with remaining squash and sprinkle with the remaining seasoning mixture. Pour the cream over the gratin.

Cover with a piece of aluminum foil. Bake for 25 minutes, remove the foil, and press down on the squash with a spatula to compress. Cover and continue baking until the squash is soft when pierced with the tip of a knife, about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine the breadcrumbs and cheese in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper.

Decrease the oven temperature to 375 degrees F.

Remove the foil from the gratin dish and sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the squash. Dot with the butter and continue baking, uncovered, until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

Makes 8-10 servings
Used by permission to Recipelink.com from Ten Speed Press
Source: Basic to Brilliant, Y'All by Virginia Willis