Baked Risotto with Winter Squash

By á-167595

6-8 servings

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound winter squash
• 1 pound Carnaroli or Arborio rice
• 4 tablespoons butter, plus 2 tablespoons for greasing dish
• 1 medium onion, diced, about 1 cup
• 1 medium leek, white and tender green part, diced, about 1 cup
• Pinch of saffron (optional)
• Salt and pepper
• 3 cups squash broth (see note) or chicken broth, hot
• 8 ounces Gruyère or Fontina, grated, about 2 loosely packed cups
• 1 cup fresh ricotta
• 4 ounces Parmesan, grated, about 3/4 cup
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 1 cup coarse dry bread crumbs
• 3 tablespoons chopped parsley

Details

Adapted from cooking.nytimes.com

Preparation

Step 1

Step 1Peel squash and cut into very thin slices, 1/16-inch thick. Then cut slices into flat 2-inch squares. (Reserve the scraps, including peels, to make squash stock if desired.)

Step 2Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rice and let simmer for 8 minutes so it is parcooked, with the grains still hard in the center. Drain rice in a colander, rinse with cold water, then spread on a baking sheet to cool. Heat oven to 375 degrees.

Step 3In a Dutch oven, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add leek and saffron, if using, and stir to coat. When leek is softened but still green, after 2 minutes, add squash, stir to coat and turn off heat. Season well with salt and pepper.

Step 4Add parcooked rice, hot broth, Gruyère, ricotta, Parmesan and lemon zest, mixing gently with a wooden spoon. Pour rice mixture into a buttered 3-quart baking dish.
Step 5Sprinkle top with bread crumbs, pressing down to smooth surface. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Tent with foil if necessary. Garnish with parsley just before serving.

Tip
To make squash broth, combine 2 cups chopped winter squash or squash scraps, 1/2 sliced small onion, 2 sliced garlic cloves, 1/2 bay leaf and a thyme sprig. Cover with 6 cups water, simmer for 20 minutes and strain.