Squash And Broccoli Rabe Lasagna Recipes

Steps:

• Make the béchamel: Melt butter in a small saucepan. Whisk in flour and cook for a minute over medium heat without browning. Gradually whisk in half-and-half, 1/2 cup at a time, to obtain a smooth, lightly thickened sauce. Turn heat to low. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, some ground black pepper, the cayenne and nutmeg. Cook, whisking, for 4 to 5 minutes, then place saucepan in a hot-water bath to keep sauce warm. Thin if necessary with a little more half-and-half.
• Bring a large pot of well-salted water to the boil. Add lasagna noodles and cook for 5 minutes. Lift noodles from water with a spider and rinse well in a bowl of cold water. Drain and lay noodles flat on a kitchen towel.
• Using the same cooking water, blanch the greens for 1 minute, until just wilted. Rinse greens with cool water, squeeze dry and chop them roughly. Put 1 cup of chopped greens, the minced garlic and 1/2 cup olive oil in a food processor or blender and purée to make a pesto. Season with salt and pepper to taste and transfer to a small bowl.
• Mix the ricotta and lemon zest in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Organize to have all ingredients within easy reach for assembling lasagna. Use 2 tablespoons butter to grease an 8-by-10-inch baking dish.
• Assemble the lasagna: Put a layer of cooked noodles on the bottom of the baking dish. Spoon a quarter of the béchamel over noodles, then dot with a third of the ricotta. Complete layer with chopped greens, a drizzle of pesto and some grated cheese. Continue layering, finishing with a layer of pasta. Spread the last of the béchamel on top and sprinkle with Parmesan. (There should be 4 layers of pasta and 3 layers of filling.)
• Dot with remaining butter and bake, covered with foil, for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for 20 minutes more, until nicely browned and bubbling. Let lasagna rest 10 minutes before serving.

Steps:

• With a vegetable peeler or paring knife peel squash. Cut squash and onion into 1/4-inch dice and cut broccoli rabe into 1/2-inch pieces.
• In a 12-inch nonstick skillet heat oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and add vegetables and salt to taste, stirring to coat with oil. Add water and cook vegetables, covered, over moderate heat 5 minutes, or until tender. Remove lid and cook vegetables over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until liquid is evaporated and vegetables begin to brown, about 3 minutes more.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice the broccoli crowns 1/3 inch thick, letting the florets on the edges fall off. Peel any large pieces of stem by gently pulling away the thick skin, then toss the slices and the unattached florets with the olive oil, salt and pepper. Place on the baking sheet in an even layer. Roast, stirring and flipping the large slices over (tongs are a good tool for this) after 8 minutes, until the broccoli is tender when pierced with a knife and the tops are nicely browned, about 15 minutes total. Remove from the oven and set aside. Turn the oven down to 350 degrees.
• Blend the ricotta cheese with the egg, water, cinnamon, salt and pepper.
• Chop the anchovies and stir into the tomato sauce. Oil a rectangular baking dish and spread a spoonful of tomato sauce over the bottom. Top with a layer of lasagna noodles. Spoon a thin layer of the ricotta mixture over the noodles. Top with a layer of broccoli, then a layer of tomato sauce and a layer of Parmesan. Repeat the layers until the ingredients are used up, ending with a layer of lasagna noodles topped with tomato sauce and Parmesan.
• Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and place in the oven. Bake 40 minutes, until the noodles are tender and the mixture is bubbling. Uncover and, if you wish, bake another 10 minutes, until the top begins to brown. Remove from the heat and allow to sit for 5 minutes before serving.