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Little Squash Molds with Balsamic Vinegar

Sformatino di Zucca al Balsamico

Mary Ann Esposito

SERVES 4

Sformatino means a little mold and this is an impressive, fast, and easy-to-make company dish with pumpkin or squash (zucca). The unusual ingredient of crushed amaretti cookies give it a delicate sweet taste. Bake the squash the day before or cut it into pieces and microwave it. Use small ramekins for the molds.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup packed, cooked Butternut squash or pumpkin
3 large eggs
1 cup heavy cream
2/3 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
4 amaretti cookies, crushed
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons warm Balsamic Vinegar

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 325°F.

Generously butter four 1 1/2 by 3-inch ramekins and set aside.

Beat the squash, eggs, and cream together in a bowl with a hand held mixer or whirl the ingredients in a food processor until smooth.

Mix in the cheese, cookies, salt, and nutmeg.

Divide the mixture evenly between the ramekins. Place them in a baking dish and carefully pour hot water around them to half way up the sides of the ramekins.

Bake them for 30-35 minutes or until they look set. Carefully remove the ramekins to a cooling rack and allow them to stand for 10 minutes. Run a butter knife around the inside of each ramekin to loosen the squash.

Unmold them onto individual salad dishes. Serve warm with a little bit of warm balsamic vinegar on the side. Or unmold them onto a bed of greens dressed with olive oil and sprinkle each with a few drops of balsamic vinegar and serve.

item recipe is featured in Episode 1403 of Season 14.

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