SQUASH AND SAGE RECIPES

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 200ºC/400°F/gas 6.
  2. Deseed the squash and cut into 8 wedges, then place in a roasting tray and sprinkle over the chilli, drizzle with oil and season. Toss well, spread evenly and roast for 35 to 40 minutes. Remove and cool.
  3. Peel and finely chop the onion and garlic, pick the sage leaves and roughly chop the chestnuts. Finely grate the Parmesan.
  4. Add a drizzle of oil to a pan and place over a medium heat. Fry the onions for 10 minutes, until soft, then add the garlic, sage and chestnuts. Continue to fry for 3 to 4 minutes, then add to a large bowl.
  5. Remove the skin from the squash and mash the flesh together with the Parmesan, then season.
  6. Dust a clean surface with flour and roll your pastry into a 30cm x 45cm rectangle, about 5mm thick and cut into two equal pieces.
  7. Beat the egg, then brush the longer side of each piece of pastry with the egg. Place your filling down the centre, then fold the pastry over, using egg to seal the edges (press down with a fork).
  8. Cut each into 8 equal-sized pieces and place on a lined baking tray.
  9. Brush with the egg and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until crisp and golden.

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Toss the squash in 1 tbsp oil together with the chopped sage. Scatter into a shallow roasting tin and roast for 30 mins until brown and soft.
• While the squash is roasting, prepare the risotto. Bring the stock to the boil and keep on a low simmer. In a separate pan, melt half the butter over a medium heat. Stir in the onions and cook gently for 8-10 mins until soft but not coloured, stirring occasionally. Stir the rice into the onions until completely coated in the butter, then stir continuously until the rice is shiny and the edges of the grain start to look transparent.
• Pour in the wine and simmer until completely evaporated. Add the stock, a ladleful at a time, and stirring the rice over a low heat for 25-30 mins, until the rice is cooked al dente (with a slightly firm, starchy bite in the middle). The risotto should be creamy and slightly soupy.
• At the same time, gently fry the whole sage leaves in a little olive oil until crisp, then set aside on kitchen paper. When the squash is cooked, mash half of it to a rough purée and leave half whole. When the risotto is just done, stir through the purée, then add the cheese and remaining butter and leave to rest for a few minutes. Serve the risotto scattered with the whole chunks of squash and the crisp sage leaves.