I can’t even tell you how happy I am to finally have arrived at the beginning of fall. Unfortunately, it is supposed to be 90° here on Wednesday, but after that the forecast tells me the temperatures will drop and I can finally put on a sweater. I’m so ready. And making this easy vegan butternut pasta is the first thing on my list when it starts to get chilly!
How to Roast Butternut Squash
One thing that makes this recipe particularly cozy is the roasting of the butternut squash. Yes, there are other ways to cook it, but roasting warms up the house and fills it with delicious smells. Plus, the squash gets deliciously caramelized, bringing out its natural sweetness. To roast your butternut squash, start by dicing it up. Peel the squash with a vegetable peeler, then use a large chef’s knife and some elbow grease to cut it into ½ inch cubes. Toss your squash with some olive oil, arrange it on a baking sheet, and sprinkle it with salt. Bake it until it’s soft and just a bit browned around some of the edges. Try not to eat it all off of the baking sheet — save some for the pasta!
How to Make Vegan Butternut Squash Pasta
When I’m adding veggies to my pasta I like to employ this little hack: boil the pasta water, and add the veggies during the last minute of boiling. This is just enough time to blanch them, and this is what I’ve done with the kale in this recipe. We’ll be sautéing the kale and pasta in just a minute, but blanching the kale first begins the cooking process, so it ends up tender and not tough or overly chewy. Next, heat up some olive oil in a skillet and add some onion. Give the onion a few minutes to soften up, then add the garlic. Cook it for just about a minute more. White wine goes in next. Bring the wine to a simmer and let it cook until it reduces a bit. Stir in a bit of nutmeg, some fresh sage, and then add your pasta and kale. Sauté everything for a minute or two to heat up the pasta and get the kale even more tender. The roasted butternut squash goes in last. Stir it in gently to avoid squishing! Season your pasta with some salt and give it a sprinkle of chopped walnuts before serving.
Frequently Asked Quesitons
More Butternut Squash Recipes
Butternut Squash RisottoButternut Squash CurryButternut Squash Stuffed ShellsSmoky Butternut Squash ChiliBlack Bean Butternut Squash ChimichangasVegan Butternut Squash Soup
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