Orecchiette with Butternut Squash and Sage

By brenie_shydee

Ingredients

• Coarse salt
• 12 ounces orecchiette
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 1 small butternut squash, halved and peeled, seeds and pulp scooped and reserved, flesh cut into 1/2-inch pieces (4 cups)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup packed fresh sage leaves
• 1 1/3 cups whole-milk ricotta, for serving
• Poppy seeds, for serving

Preparation

Step 1

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain.

2.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a large straight-sided skillet over medium heat. Add squash seeds and pulp. Cook, stirring occasionally, until seeds puff and turn golden, 10 minutes. Season with salt; transfer to a plate. Add 2 tablespoons butter to skillet; melt. Add sage and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 2 minutes. Transfer to another plate. Add squash flesh to skillet. Season with salt, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 10 minutes.

3.
Stir in pasta, 1/2 cup pasta water, and remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Simmer until thickened slightly, about 2 minutes. Add more pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, until pasta is evenly coated; season with salt. Top with squash pulp and seeds, sage leaves, ricotta, and poppy seeds. Drizzle with oil and serve.