Butternut Squash and Sage Risotto
10. Nov, 2007 
9 Comments
Considering that risotto is by far one of my favorite dishes to make I can’t believe I have never made a risotto with butternut squash before – especially as it seems to be one of the more popular varieties. However since it is one of the more common varieties I wanted to punch it up a bit more by adding the sage. It was really nice, I served it with an italian red wine based chicken stew.
The funny thing is that I made this almost 2 weeks ago but haven’t had the chance to post yet, since then I got my copy of Jamie at Home and he has a Sage and Butternut risotto recipe too! It is surprisingly different but I really like that he fried the sage leaves in butter at the end and used them as a garnish, so I may try that with the second half next one.
Butternut Squash Risotto with Sage
(serves 4)
1 small butternut squash
2 cloves garlic, minced
a dozen large fresh sage leaves, finely chopped
olive oil
salt and pepper
2T butter
1 small onion
1.5C arborio rice
1 small cup white wine
1L chicken or vegetable stock
1/2C Parmesan cheese, grated
Preheat the oven to 350F. Cut the squash in half and scoop out the seeds. Cut into wedges and arrange on a baking tray or roasting pan. Sprinkle the garlic, and half the sage on the squash. Add a healthy grinding of pepper and salt. Drizzle the olive over the squash and use your hands to rub the squash and distribute. Roast for 30-40 minutes or until tender. When it has cooled slightly take about half of the squash, remove the peel and add it to a bowl. Gently mash to soften but allow it to retain some texture. Set aside.
Start the risotto (you can do this as your squash is cooking).Put the stock in a sauce pan over low heat. In a heavy saucepan or Dutch Oven add 1T butter and onion over medium low heat. Sweat until soft. Increase the heat to medium. Add the rice and cook, stirring constantly for about 2 minutes. Add the wine and cook stirring regularly until mostly absorbed.
Start adding stock a ladle or two at a time, stirring regularly while it absorbs. For every ladle of stock add a few spoonfuls of the squash. Continue until your rice is just lightly al dente. Peel and roughly chop the remaining squash. Stir in the Parmesan and remaining butter and sage. now add the remaining squash. Taste and adjust for seasoning. I find in this sort of dish the seasoning you need changes dramatically depending on what kind of stock you use.
Originally started as a way to document and learn to cook, the site chronicles my journey as I learn a few new things, create recipes, and have a disaster or two.
Very nice recipe.
I made butternut squash and sage risotto as well:
http://www.coffeeandvanilla.com/?p=310
Mine is not so creamy.
I may try your recipe soon. It looks delicious.
Margot
I make risotto lots, too but just made it with butternut for the first time a month ago. I loved it – I also used sage…my favorite fall herb!
Yours looks very luscious and creamy….Any left?
Oh my…I love risotto anyway, but this looks so beautiful and very seasonal!
Nice looking risotto. Sage leaves fried in butter are really tasty.
I love risotto too and the ones I see here on your blog are to die for!
Oh I so have to make this. I too love risotto (is there anyone who doesn’t?) and butternut squash, why haven’t I ever put them together?
OK . . . I was just going to reference Katie’s recipe, but I see she’s already been here
. In hers, she grated the raw squash, which was a technique I’d never seen before. I tried it and liked it, and now I’ll have to try yours!
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Thanks everybody.
Hmm, grating the raw squash – katiesz you are ingenius!
Margot – yours looks good too!
When we were at The Hills on our spa weekend with the ladies at work I had a delicious Butternut Squash Risotto. I have been meaning to duplicate the dish, but just haven’t tried it yet. Thans for the recipe and the memories!