Squash Dip Recipes

Steps:

• Place the sage on a paper towel and leave it in a cool dry place to dry it out for 8 hours or up to overnight.
• Heat a smoker to 350 degrees F with char-hickory pellets.
• Cut the neck or narrow end of the butternut squash off to separate it from the round, bulbous bottom end. Scoop the seeds out of the squash bottom and reserve to use as a dip bowl. Peel the narrow end and cut into about 1-inch dice. (You should have about 4 cups of diced squash.)
• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the squash, chipotle chile and some salt and saute until the squash starts to caramelize, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, toss the shredded cheeses with the cornstarch in a bowl and set aside. Add 1 cup water to the squash, then simmer until very tender, about another 10 minutes. Add the milk, then blend using an immersion blender until silky and smooth. Add the cheese, then stir well to help melt the cheese. Season to taste with salt. Transfer the pan to the smoker and let the queso absorb that wonderful smoke until the color is darker and the flavor is smokier, about 30 minutes.
• Draw a face on your squash bottom if you wish, then add the dip directly to the squash. Carefully light the dried-out sage, then blow it out to create smoke and stick it straight up in your dip. Cover it with a dome or deep bowl (tall enough not to smush the sage bunch); this will infuse the flavor and keep the demons and ghouls away. Remove the dome right when guests are ready to eat. Serve with kale chips, tortilla chips, raw veggies or soft pretzels.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Spread the pepitas out on a baking sheet and toast until fragrant and light brown, about 7 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and let cool.
• Line the same baking sheet with parchment paper. Roast the squash cut-side down on the baking sheet until the skin is brown in spots and the flesh very tender when pierced with a knife, about 45 minutes. Let the squash cool on the baking sheet until cool enough to handle, about 40 minutes.
• Peel the skin of the squash away and discard. Add the squash flesh, chickpeas, tahini, cinnamon, garlic and 2 teaspoons salt to the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth. Add 3 to 5 tablespoons water to thin out the mixture until it is smooth and light. Scrape the mixture out into a 2-quart serving dish or 9-inch glass pie plate.
• Squeeze the juice from the lemon half all around the surface and scatter the feta, arugula, pomegranate seeds and pepitas on top. Serve with warm whole-wheat pita triangles.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place squash on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss. Spread squash in a single layer. Place garlic on a piece of parchment-lined foil. Drizzle with oil, and wrap loosely. Place on baking sheet with squash. Bake until squash is soft and golden brown, about 50 minutes. Let cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, melt 4 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add scallions, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes.
• Scoop flesh from squash, and transfer to a food processor. Squeeze garlic from skins, and add to squash. Add scallions and chipotles, and pulse until smooth. Add remaining 6 tablespoons butter, the sour cream, cream cheese, Parmesan, and lemon juice, and pulse until just combined but not smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
• Pour into a hollowed-out squash or a serving bowl. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Sprinkle with paprika, and garnish with pepitas. Serve with breadsticks.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
• Put the squash and garlic onto a baking sheet, and sprinkle with oil; then, roast for about 20 minutes, or until tender.
• Put the squash into a food processor. Squeeze the cloves of garlic out of their skins and into the processor. Add the sage, cumin and cayenne, and puree. Refrigerate, tightly covered. Serve at room temperature.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Brush the cut side of the squash halves with some of the olive oil, and place them oiled side down on a baking sheet. Cut the top off of the head of garlic, and drizzle the remaining olive oil over it. Wrap in aluminum foil, and place on the baking sheet with the squash.
• Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the squash can easily be pierced with a fork. Scoop the squash out of its skin, and place in a serving bowl. Squeeze the cloves of garlic out of their skins, and into the bowl with the squash. Mash until smooth. Stir in the goat cheese and lemon juice until well blended. Sprinkle walnuts over the top. Serve warm or at room temperature.