Step 1. Buy a butternut squash with a neck almost as tall as your cat. If you don’t have a cat, borrow one from a neighbor. Don’t tell them why you need the cat. Trust me.
Step 2. Preheat your oven to 400ºF. Crush a garlic clove in a mortar or small bowl and pour a tablespoons of olive oil over it. Crush the garlic some more. Set aside.
Step 3. Whack the round part off the squash and reserve for something else (or halve it, seed it, fill it with butter and brown sugar, and roast it along with the rounds). Peel the neck down to the orange flesh. If you haven’t peeled a butternut squash before, you’ll think it’s easy, then get more and more depressed when you realize it’s a lot of work. The cat cannot help you here.
Step 4. Cut the peeled neck into 3/4-inch thick slices. This is easier if you rock the squash as you slice through it.
Step 5. Lay the butternut squash rounds on a baking sheet and brush with the garlic oil. Flip them over and brush the other side with more oil. Sprinkle with kosher or sea salt, ground black pepper, and minced sage leaves.
Step 6. Roast 15-20 minutes or until tender. Pet the cat while you wait, maybe scritch it behind the ears. Cats like that.
Step 7. Eat the squash rounds.
Step 8. Return cat, if borrowed.
Recipe adapted from a catless version in Everyday Greens by Annie Somerville, via The Best American Recipes 2004-2005, edited by Fran McCullough and Molly Stevens.
Here from a pimp from JessHelga — oh MY, this looks delicious! I just so happen to have a long-necked squash and a cat, so I’m ready to give this a try. Thanks!
The macro of the squash with the drops of moisture is an exquisite shot, by the way.
Cutest butternut squash recipe ever. Even if the competition were stiffer, it still would be. Scritching! Aw.
Have squash, have cat, will cook.
Great shots, and love the cat. Did you borrow it, or is it your sous chef?
Kristen: Thanks! Be careful not to confuse the squash and the cat.
Shalini: I stole “scritch” from someone, hope I don’t get sued.
Kate: Sous chef! I love it. He is mine, and now I should promote him.
Soooooo cute! I love your cat. He is such a sweetie!
Too funny. Even made the hubby laugh, which is a job and a half. HA! Great post…
Emily: Thanks! He is a sweetie, unlike my other cat who is evil.
Jesska: Excellent! I love 1.5x extra effect with no extra work for me, heh.
I usually tend to slice the punkin into discs, and then use a sharp knife and cut the peel off in one go.
:-)
I looooooooove love love pumpkin!
Callisto: Great tip! Do Australians call squash pumpkin? Americans tend to call only the round orange squashes pumpkins, so I get confused.
As you can see, I just discovered your blog and am going back through your archives a bit. I’m excited, my cat will love this recipe!
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Does my severe cat allergy preclude me from mastering this recipe or just from hanging out at your house? =)
Steen: The recipe should also work with a ferret, a very large parrot, or a small terrier.