You know how I have been saying that I have so so many winter squashes that they are taking over my house? (the other night the mr and I counted while eating dinner.. there were 29 at the time) Well, not that I think I cannot eat them all myself, but I want to share and I think I found a way to share them that people (especially the mr) will really like… Squash noodles of course!
Honestly, I am always more then happy to just eat a squash pretty much as untouched as possible. All I do is stick one (any variety) in the oven on a rack and bake it till its soft then eat it. And it's like crack.. I can't get enough. If I was not a stronger person, I would probably eat an entire squash in once sitting, then still want more. (It's happened) But that's me. Most of the peps that I make food for are not as squash happy as I am and are not into just squash mush.
So last night I noodled some butternut for the mr. And win.. he really liked them, even with a shit ton of caramelized onions. (I loved the onions, he has never been a huge onion fan but still really like them) Ever since zucchini season has been over, I have been trying to find that new meal that I can whip up in a short amount of time, that the mr really likes, and can be made with the abundance of the season. I don't know why I didn't do this sooner. And sure, this particular dish takes a little time to make cause of the onions, which are so worth it, but on a regular old night, I can just toss some garlic, olive oil and a handful of fresh herbs into a pot and it will take like 15 minutes. to make.I am a genius (I am sure that noodling is not an original idea, but whatever, original to me)
Anyway.. squash noodles are now a thing for us, and I am sure will be a thing everywhere soon so you should jump in the band wagon now and get to making some too! .
The stuff. A butternut squash, a few onions, and a handful of fresh sage. . Also need some garlic, wine vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper and some water (water not in picture)
Slice up all the onions as thin as you can, mince up the garlic, and stick it all into a big pot with a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of salt and pepper and a small splash of water. Stick the pot on the stove on medium heat until the onions start to cook and smell all yummy oniony and maybe a few are sticking to the bottom of the pot. Grab the vinegar and give the onions a good splash, stirring around, making sure no onions are stuck on the bottom. Now turn heat to low and cover the pot. Let the onions cook for a while (about a 1/2 hour) giving them a stir ever now and then.
And once the onions are all super soft and starting to caramelize, add in the sage (but mince it first). Keep the pot on low heat without the lid.
While the sage and onions are melding together, turn the squash into some noodles. Do it by the means that you use. I have a mandolin that does the trick, but use your spiralizer, noodler maker, or even a knife and a little bit of patience. Just make sure all you noodles, however made, are all the same thickness to it all cooks at the same time. So yeah, cut the bottom part of the squash off and use the neck… and save the rest for soup tomorrow.
Note… I did not peel the squash cause I like to eat the skin. If you want, peel it, but really, even if you don't like the skin, you will not notice it in the noodles.
After the sage has had a few minutes with the onions, and now that the noodles are made, it's time to add in a few splashes of vinegar and about a cup of water to the pot. So do that and give it all a good stir.
Now dump in the noodles, stir once more, and turn the pot to medium heat and stick the lid back on it. Let cook down on medium heat for about 15 minutes, or unlit the noodles are tender and cooked, but not mushy.
Like so.
Now all you have to do is eat it.
Place a big pile into a pretty bowl, a fresh tiny little sage leave as garnish, and serve with a clean cloth napkin and a clean fork to eat with.. Or better yet, just eat it out of the pot with the wooden spoon that may or may not have fallen on the floor. (my preferred method of eating)
Have a fantastic Day!
-C
Butternut Squash Noodles with Caramelized Onions and Sage
Make 2 Servings
- 1 butternut squash (or the solid, neck part of a squab)
- 4 medium sized sweet onion
- 4-5 cloves of garlic
- handful of fresh sage leaves
- 1- 1 1/2 cups water
- 2-3 splashes of red or white wine vinegar
- olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Take onions and slice them as thinly as you can and mince up the garlic. Place into o big pot with a drizzle of olive oil, a splash of water and a sprinkle of salt. Stick on stove on medium high heat and stir onions until they start to give off a sweet onion smell and are starting to stick to the pot. Add in a splash of vinegar to deglaze pot, give it all a stir, and turn heat to low. Cover with a lid and continue to cook, string now and again, until onions reduce in volume by about half, are all tender, almost falling apart and are starting to brown a bit. (takes about 30- 40 minutes ) When onions are at this point, tiny chop the fresh sage and mix into the onion.
Now grab you squash and turn in into noodles.( I cut the bottom part off (for soup tomorrow) and use the neck of the squash). You can do this by using a mandolin, a noodler, or even a knife. Any way works, just make sure the noodles are all the same thickness (mine were about 1/4 inch thick) so they cook at the same time. Noodle about 5- 6 handfuls or cups of noodles.
Now right before you add the noodles to the pot, add in a few more splashes of vinegar. another pitch or two of salt and pepper, and a cup of water, Mix that all around then add in the noodles. Give those a mix then turn heat to medium and place the lid back on the pot, checking and string every few minutes until the noodles are tender(but not falling apart) and the water has pretty much evaporated. (about 15 minutes) If you notice the water is gone and the noodles still need more cooking, add in another 1/2 cup of water.
And when you are happy with the tenderness of the noodles. remove pot from heat, taste and season with more salt and pepper if needed, and get to eating!!!!!