Recipe: Roasted Pear and Kabocha Squash with Pumpkin Seeds
Prep Time:
30 minutes
Cook Time:
20 minutes
Servings:
4 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 kabocha squash (about 3 pounds), halved
  • 1 cup white wine vinegar
  • Kosher salt
  • ¾ reserved kabocha squash
  • 2 red pears, cored and cut into 6 wedges
  • 6 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 6 thyme sprigs, divided
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • 1 red pear, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons pumpkin seed oil
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
  • ½ cup toasted pumpkin seeds
  • Grated Parmesan
Directions
  1. Make the pickled squash: Remove and discard the seeds from the squash. Quarter each half and set aside three quarters to roast. Using a mandoline, slice the remaining quarter of squash paper thin and place in a heatproof container. In a small saucepan over high heat, heat the vinegar. Pour the vinegar over the squash, then season with salt and let cool to room temperature.
  2. Make the roasted squash and roasted pears: Preheat the oven to 475°. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Cut the remaining squash quarters into 1-inch pieces. Place the squash on one baking sheet and the pear on the other. Drizzle each baking sheet with 3 tablespoons of the olive oil and sprinkle each with 3 thyme sprigs. Season each with salt and toss.
  3. Roast the squash and the pears in the oven until brown and tender, 18 to 20 minutes for the squash and 8 to 10 minutes for the pears. Remove from the oven and discard the thyme.
  4. Gently toss the warm roasted squash, roasted pears and raw pears with the lemon juice, pumpkin seed oil, lemon zest and pumpkin seeds. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt as needed.
  5. To serve, arrange the roasted squash and pears on a platter along with the pickled squash, then top with grated Parmesan.