Squash Gratin

A hearty winter dish featuring tender squash and crispy bacon, topped with toasted pumpkin seeds and shaved cheese. This comforting gratin combines sweet winter squash with savory elements for a delicious side dish.

4 servings
1 hr 46 min

Ingredients

  • pounds winter squash
  • 2 slices bacon
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 sprig rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup dried pumpkin seeds
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 ounce pecorino or Parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Peel 2 1/4 pounds of winter squash and cut into cubes.

    10 min

  2. 2.

    Preheat the oven to 450°F.

    5 min

  3. 3.

    In a large ovenproof pot, brown 2 slices of bacon 1/8 inch thick for 5 minutes, turning them over. Add the cubes of squash, 4 garlic cloves (unpeeled but crushed), 1 sprig of rosemary, and a little salt.

    8 min

  4. 4.

    Cover with parchment paper and put in the oven for 30 minutes.

    30 min

  5. 5.

    Lower the oven temperature to 350°F, remove the parchment paper, and cook for an additional 30 minutes.

    30 min

  6. 6.

    In the meantime, heat a dry skillet and toast a handful of dried pumpkin seeds. Cool on paper towels, then crush.

    5 min

  7. 7.

    When the squash is cooked, take the pot out of the oven and turn on the broiler.

    2 min

  8. 8.

    Throw away the rosemary and the peel of the garlic cloves.

    2 min

  9. 9.

    Remove the slices of bacon and cut into small lardons.

    3 min

  10. 10.

    Mash the squash and garlic with a fork and add the lardons. Stir and adjust the seasoning with plenty of freshly ground black pepper.

    5 min

  11. 11.

    Sprinkle the top of the gratin with pumpkin seeds.

    1 min

  12. 12.

    With a vegetable peeler, shave 1 ounce of pecorino or Parmesan cheese into small flakes and sprinkle evenly over the gratin.

    3 min

  13. 13.

    Put under the broiler for about 2 minutes to brown the top. Serve immediately.

    2 min