Butternut Squash Gratin
INGREDIENTS:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter plus more for the baking dish
- 1 large onion thinly sliced
- 1 garlic clove thinly sliced
- 1 ½ pounds (about 1 large) butternut squash peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, and thinly sliced between 1/8 and 1/4 inch thick
- ¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg
- Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup fresh bread crumbs
- ¾ cup grated Comté cheese
- few chives finely chopped (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Butter a 10-inch (25-centimeter) baking dish.
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In a large sauté pan or Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened and translucent, 4 minutes.
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Add the butternut squash slices and nutmeg and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Transfer the squash mixture to the baking dish. Smother with the cream, sprinkle with the bread crumbs, scatter the cheese on top, and dot with the remaining 1 tablespoon butter, cut into pieces.
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Bake until the surface is golden and bubbly and the butternut squash is tender, 30 to 40 minutes. Serve immediately, sprinkled with the chives, if desired.
© Recipe courtesy of Leite’s Culinaria.
NOVEMBER VIRGINIA WINE CLUB:

Arendsig
Single Vineyard
Chardonnay Blok A15
South Africa
CRISP WINE STYLE
On the nose, green and yellow citrus, Granny Smith apple, with tropical fruit notes. Zesty and crisp on the palate with a lingering mouthfeel. Spontaneously fermented and matured in concrete tanks and neutral French oak barrels for 10 months.
Varietal: Chardonnay
Analysis: 13.79% alcohol / volume
pH: 3.18
TA: 7.1
RS: 2.8 g/L
Production: 12,546 Bottles
Maturation: 10 Months, concrete tanks and neutral French oak barrels
Critical Acclaim: 4 stars, Platters Diners Club Entertainment 2022
WINEMAKER’S NOTES
“My philosophy is to create great single vineyard wines from unique soil, climate and location. It’s the soil with all the microbes, cycle of elements and the help of living organisms that creates the heartbeat for my vines. The location towards the sun, wind and holistic climate conditions reflects the uniqueness of each vineyard. Spontaneous fermentation, no added yeast, is used with no enzymes. Maturation takes place in neutral vessels to bring through the unique vineyard characteristics which is specific to the site.” – Lourens Van Der Westhuizen
ABOUT ARENDSIG:
Arendsig’s single vineyard wines are made with minimal interference throughout the vinification. During fermentation natural yeasts are used with no enzymes. Maturation takes place in neutral vessels to bring through the unique vineyard characteristics, that’s specific to the site. The handcrafted approach helps add to the final balance of the wines. The vineyards are blessed with diversity, located in the Southern Robertson valley, Bonnievale. Learn more at Arendsig.co.za
© Information and Photos provided by Arendsig.
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