Roasted Butternut Squash Ribbons with Arugula, Pancetta, and Hazelnut Salad

Roasted Butternut Squash Ribbons with Arugula, Pancetta, and Hazelnut Salad
Roasted Butternut Squash Ribbons with Arugula, Pancetta, and Hazelnut Salad
We're skipping the classic cubes in favor of tangled butternut ribbons baked into a moist flat cake for a seriously showstopping first course. Pair the squash with a mix of spicy arugula and ever-so-slightly-bitter chicory enhanced with savory pancetta and toasted hazelnuts. A sweet-tart apple vinaigrette is the final touch atop the most refreshing fall salad we've tasted in a long time. Editor's Note: This recipe is part of our Gourmet Modern Menu for Thanksgiving for 2 or 20. Menu also includes: Citrus-Sage Roast Turkey with Gravy (whole turkey or breast ); Mashed Potato and Cauliflower Gratin; Cabernet-Cranberry Sauce with Figs; Challah, Sausage, and Dried Cherry Stuffing; and for dessert, Apple Crostata with Spiced Caramel Sauce .
  • Preparing Time: -
  • Total Time: -
  • Served Person: Makes 8 servings
Salad Roast Thanksgiving Ham Arugula Squash Butternut Squash Fall Winter Hazelnut Gourmet
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • salt
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • freshly ground pepper
  • 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot
  • 5 ounces baby arugula
  • 1 cup apple cider or apple juice
  • 1/2 cup hazelnuts
  • 5 ounces thinly sliced pancetta, halved and cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-wide strips (about 1 cup)
  • 12 ounces chicory, leaves stripped from center ribs (save ribs for soup) and leaves torn into bite-size pieces (about 12 cups)
  • 1 1/2 pounds butternut squash, trimmed and peeled
  • y-shaped vegetable peeler
  • Carbohydrate 20 g(7%)
  • Cholesterol 12 mg(4%)
  • Fat 29 g(45%)
  • Fiber 5 g(19%)
  • Protein 6 g(11%)
  • Saturated Fat 5 g(26%)
  • Sodium 540 mg(23%)
  • Calories 353

PreparationBegin salad: Heat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Roast hazelnuts on a baking sheet in oven until fragrant and pale golden inside (cut one open to test), 8 to 10 minutes (keep oven on). Wrap hot nuts in a towel and rub together to remove any loose skins. Halve nuts. While nuts are roasting, cook pancetta in a 9- to 10-inch heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Roast squash: Increase oven to 425°F with rack in middle. Lightly oil baking sheet. Halve squash lengthwise and seed. Use vegetable peeler to peel squash into long thin ribbons into a large bowl. Toss squash with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a large bowl until coated. Spread ribbons evenly on a 13- by 9-inch baking sheet, or arrange ribbons into a 13- by 9-inch rectangle on a larger baking sheet. Bake until tender, 15 to 20 minutes, then turn on broiler and broil until lightly browned, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Make vinaigrette while squash is roasting: Bring cider to a boil in a small saucepan, then boil until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 5 minutes. Whisk reduced cider with cider vinegar, shallot, Dijon mustard, sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Add 1/2 cup oil in a slow stream, whisking, and whisk until emulsified. Assemble salad: Toss arugula and chicory in a very large bowl with about 1/2 cup vinaigrette (there will be some left over). Then toss in pancetta and hazelnuts. Cut squash into 8 rectangles and carefully transfer each with a metal spatula to a plate. Divide salad among plates and drizzle a little of remaining vinaigrette on squash. Cooks' notes:•Salad recipe may be halved or quartered to serve 2 to 4 people, but we suggest roasting full amount of squash because leftovers are delicious! •Chicory can be prepared 1 day ahead and chilled in a resealable plastic bag with a towel. •Hazelnuts can be roasted 1 day ahead and kept at room temperature. •Vinaigrette can be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring to room temperature and whisk before using.

PreparationBegin salad: Heat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Roast hazelnuts on a baking sheet in oven until fragrant and pale golden inside (cut one open to test), 8 to 10 minutes (keep oven on). Wrap hot nuts in a towel and rub together to remove any loose skins. Halve nuts. While nuts are roasting, cook pancetta in a 9- to 10-inch heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Roast squash: Increase oven to 425°F with rack in middle. Lightly oil baking sheet. Halve squash lengthwise and seed. Use vegetable peeler to peel squash into long thin ribbons into a large bowl. Toss squash with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a large bowl until coated. Spread ribbons evenly on a 13- by 9-inch baking sheet, or arrange ribbons into a 13- by 9-inch rectangle on a larger baking sheet. Bake until tender, 15 to 20 minutes, then turn on broiler and broil until lightly browned, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Make vinaigrette while squash is roasting: Bring cider to a boil in a small saucepan, then boil until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 5 minutes. Whisk reduced cider with cider vinegar, shallot, Dijon mustard, sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Add 1/2 cup oil in a slow stream, whisking, and whisk until emulsified. Assemble salad: Toss arugula and chicory in a very large bowl with about 1/2 cup vinaigrette (there will be some left over). Then toss in pancetta and hazelnuts. Cut squash into 8 rectangles and carefully transfer each with a metal spatula to a plate. Divide salad among plates and drizzle a little of remaining vinaigrette on squash. Cooks' notes:•Salad recipe may be halved or quartered to serve 2 to 4 people, but we suggest roasting full amount of squash because leftovers are delicious! •Chicory can be prepared 1 day ahead and chilled in a resealable plastic bag with a towel. •Hazelnuts can be roasted 1 day ahead and kept at room temperature. •Vinaigrette can be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring to room temperature and whisk before using.