(BPT) – The holidays are here and that means it’s the season for parties, events and get-togethers. Put your best dish forward with seasonally inspired recipes guaranteed to tempt your guests’ taste buds.
Packed with flavors that embody the hearty and warm tastes of the season, Butternut Squash Tart with Fried Sage, Prosciutto and Pecorino Cheese is easy to make and easy for guests to enjoy. Perfectly versatile, this tart is easily served as a small bite or served as a light entree.
Complete the dish with Frei Brothers Reserve Russian River Valley Chardonnay for the perfect pairing. The Chardonnay’s flavors of green apple, orange zest and buttery toast complement the golden puff pastry, sweet butternut squash and the salty prosciutto, making for an elegant pairing that is sure to please.
Crafted in California’s most renowned cool-climate region for Chardonnay, the Russian River Valley, and grown using earth-friendly practices, Frei Brother’s Reserve Chardonnay is an excellent choice to have on hand for this season’s holiday gatherings. To learn more about Frei Brothers Reserve, wine pairings, and more visit www.Facebook.com/FreiBrothersReserve.
Butternut Squash Tart with Fried Sage, Prosciutto and Pecorino Cheese
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Serves 4 to 6
Ingredients
3 slices prosciutto, thinly sliced
1 butternut squash (1 1/2 to 2 pounds)
1 sheet puff pastry
1 egg + 1 tablespoon water, beaten
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
10 sage leaves
Shaved pecorino cheese
Directions
Preheat oven to 425 F and cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place prosciutto onto baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes until crispy. Set aside until needed. Reduce oven temperature to 375 F.
Microwave the whole butternut squash for 3 minutes. This will not only make the squash easier to peel and slice but aids in pre-cooking. Using a vegetable peeler, peel the squash. With a knife, slice the neck of the squash into 1/8-inch thick rounds. You will need 18 slices.
Roll the thawed but cold puff pastry into a 12-inch square and transfer to a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Using a pastry brush, brush the puff pastry with the egg wash. Arrange butternut squash slices in an overlapping pattern on top of the pastry leaving a 1-inch border on all sides; season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Bake for 40 minutes until puff pastry is golden.
While the tart is baking, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Working with five leaves at a time, place the sage leaves in the hot oil and fry for 20 seconds until leaves are bright green and crisp but do not turn brown. Place on a paper towel to drain.
Once the tart is finished, top with crumbled prosciutto slices, shaved pecorino cheese, and fried sage. Drizzle lightly with additional olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Slice and serve with Frei Brothers Reserve Russian River Valley Chardonnay.
Editor’s Note: California Table Wine, Copyright ©2014, Frei Bros. Winery, Healdsburg, CA. All rights reserved.
