SQUASH GRATIN WITH POBLANOS & CREAM

By Shaylie

Ingredients

• 6 large poblanos (about 1-1/2 pounds)
• 2 large butternut squash (4 pounds total)—peeled, halved, seeded and sliced 1/2 inch thick
• 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1-1/2 teaspoons coarsely chopped thyme
• Salt and freshly ground
• black pepper
• 1 large white onion, thinly sliced
• 3 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon coarsely chopped oregano
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 cup crème fraiche or sour cream
• 8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
• 8 ounces farmer cheese (see Note)
• Toasted pumpkin seeds, for serving

Details

Servings 12

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat the oven to 400dF. Roast the poblanos directly over a gas flame or under the broiler, turning, until they are charred all over. Transfer the chiles to a bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap and let them cool.
Peel, stem and seed the chiles, then cut them into thin strips.

2. Brush the butternut squash with 6 tablespoons of the olive oil and spread it on 2 large rimmed baking sheets. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of the thyme and season with salt and pepper. Roast for about 25 minutes, until the squash is tender, shifting the pans from top to bottom and front to back halfway through baking. Increase the oven temperature to 425°.

3. Meanwhile, in a large, deep skillet, heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the sliced onion, garlic, oregano and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of thyme and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and fragrant,
about 8 minutes. Add the poblano strips and cook until they are very tender, about 5 minutes. Add the heavy cream and simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes.
Remove from the heat. Stir in the crème fraiche and season the poblano mixture with salt and pepper.

4. Spoon half of the poblano mixture into a large baking dish and top with half of the butternut squash and half of the Monterey Jack and farmer cheeses. Repeat with the remaining poblano mixture, butternut
squash and both cheeses. Bake in the center of the oven for about 30 minutes, until the gratin is golden and bubbling. Let the gratin rest for 10 minutes. Garnish with the pumpkin seeds and serve.

NOTE Farmer cheese is a form of cottage cheese that has had the liquid pressed out of it. It's slightly tangy with a dry texture that makes it great for crumbling. Look for it at specialty-food stores or at cheese shops.

MAKE AHEAD The unbaked gratin can be refrigerated overnight. Return to room temperature before baking.

WINE Fresh, melony Chenin Blanc.