Roasted Butternut Squash + Kale Pasta w/ Caramelized Onion Cream Sauce

I am not kidding when I say that I had an extended text conversation the other day solely about butternut squash and how it is the best thing in the whole world.  I can’t really explain how amazing I feel when I eat it… the sweet and nutty taste of the squash combined with the buttery olive oil and kosher salt makes for something that tastes better than candy.

For this dish, I roasted some butternut squash cubes and made a homemade sauce from caramelized onions, dinosaur kale, dry white wine and heavy cream.  Topped off with some freshly shaved Parmesan cheese and toasted walnuts and you’ll have paralysis in a bowl.  The good kind of paralysis, of course.

What will you need? (makes 2 servings)

3 cups cooked pasta (whatever shape you want!)

1 small butternut squash, peeled and cubed

3 cups kale leaves

1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced

1 small shallot, thinly sliced

2 cups chicken or vegetable stock

1/2 cup dry white wine

1/2 c cream

3 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp butter

Shaved parmesan cheese

Ground pepper, kosher salt

Optional: Toasted walnuts

How do you make it?

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.  Peel the butternut squash and cut it into cubes, making sure to get the whole thick outer-layer off.  Toss the cubes in some olive oil, kosher salt and pepper.  Bake for about 30 minutes, poking the cubes at the end with a toothpick to make sure they are done.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, add a tablespoon of olive oil and butter and start sauteeing your onions and shallots.  Cook on medium heat until it is brown and caramelized, about 5 minutes.

This would be a good point to start cooking your pasta, btw.

Once the onions are ready, keep them in the skillet and pour in the remaining ingredients to make the sauce.  Add in the cooking stock, cream, dry white wine and raw kale and bring the mixture to a simmer.  Once the kale has started to cook down, reduce to low and allow all of the flavors to blend beautifully.

Your sauce will get nice and thick and you will not believe how rich this it is going to taste.

To assemble, use a nice shallow bowl.  Add some sauce on top of your pasta, then the butternut squash cubes and top with some freshly grated parmesan cheese.  (Toasted walnuts are optional!)

My mouth is watering just recalling this experience!!!!