Winter Squash Tips

NO MORE FIGHTING with a sharp knife and winter squash. Here is a Short cut to bake all winter squash and pumpkin. Remove stem and Wash & dry. Rub hands with olive oil & rub onto squash. Place squash on a foil covered cookie sheet in a 350-400° preheated oven. Do Not poke or cut. Cook one hour plus, depending on size of squash. Remove when slightly brown, the house smells great and it will dent (thickest part) slightly with a wooden spoon. Slice in half remove seeds and stringy pulp. Remove squash from roasted skin, put squash into food processor and add a pat of butter and a drizzle of maple syrup when serving. Or freeze in Ziploc type bags for later. I love to eat Squash all year long or try making pies and breads all winter long.

Storage Tips

• Beets & Carrots &Turnip – plastic bag in crisper. 
• Brussels Sprouts & Cabbage – plastic bag in crisper, remove outer leave(s) if wilted or spotted when ready to use. 
• Lettuce & Spinach– plastic bag in crisper 
• Onions, Garlic, Squash and Sweet Potatoes – keep in a warmer place, (50- 60° Fahrenheit) dry dark place. Must be above 50 (not in refrigerator). 
• Potatoes – Cool and dark, or if you have an extra frig they can be refrigerated in a bag with ventilation holes. Many folks keep them in a cool basement.

Gold Turnip & Onion Casserole

Gold Turnip & Onion Casserole 

adapted from Pete’s Greens

2 lbs. Gold turnips, scrubbed and thinly sliced
1 lb. Onions, thinly sliced
2 tbsp. Vermont organic white flour
1 cup apple cider
1 tbsp. fresh oregano, chopped roughly (or 1 ½ teas dried)
1 cup milk
1/2 cup chicken or vegetable stock
2 cups Vermont cheddar cheese, shredded
Salt and pepper, sprinkle through each layer gently

Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Put oven rack in center position. Grease a 8 x 10 rectangular baking dish. Place flour in a medium heavy saucepan; gradually add milk, whisking until smooth. Whisk in cider & stock. Bring mixture to a boil over high heat, whisking constantly. Cook one minute more, remove from heat and set aside. Mix cheese with oregano.

Arrange half of the sliced turnips (slightly overlapping) in prepared baking dish. Spread onions atop the turnips Sprinkle the cheese on half of the turnips and onions. Arrange another layer of turnip and onions on top of cheese. Pour cider mixture over turnips. Continue to do so until all onions and turnips are layered. Season with salt and pepper as you go along. Reserve 1/2 cup of cheese for finishing.

Bake 25 minutes. Remove baking dish from oven. Using a metal spatula, press down on the turnips. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and return to oven. Bake until turnips are fork-tender and the top is crusted and lightly browned to about 20 minutes more. Let stand 20 minutes before serving.