BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND PANCETTA RISOTTO WITH SPICED BUTTER

Cooking Time:
Servings: 6
Preparation Time:

Ingredients

4 cloves garlic, roasted
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon finely chopped chervil leaves
1/2 teaspoon finely chopped marjoram leaves
1 Pinch ground cinnamon
1 Pinch ground ginger
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 pound squash, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon brown sugar
5 cups chicken stock, recipe follows
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 pound pancetta, small dice
1/2 cup minced shallots
1 cup arborio rice
2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh sage leaves
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
1/2 cup white wine

Directions

For the butter: In a bowl, crush the roasted garlic with a spoon. Mix in the butter, chervil, marjoram, ground cinnamon, and ginger and set aside. For the butternut squash: In large skillet melt the butter over medium heat. Add the squash and season with salt. Cook for 6 minutes until golden on all sides. Add brown sugar and cook until the squash is caramelized and tender, but not mushy. Set aside and keep warm. For the risotto: Bring chicken stock to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and keep warm. Heat olive oil in a heavy bottomed saucepan add the pancetta and saute until lightly browned. Add the shallots, stirring until softened. Pour in the arborio rice, sage and thyme cook for 4 minutes, stirring until well coated. Turn the heat to high and add the white wine, simmer until mostly absorbed. Add the hot stock 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly until absorbed by the rice. Continue to add stock 1/2 cup at a time, stirring to release the starch. Check rice for doneness after 18 minutes, rice should be al dente but cooked through. Stir in Italian parsley, kosher salt, pepper, and 3 tablespoons of the spiced butter.
Gently fold in the squash. Serve immediately.

Notes

I got this recipe from another personal chef friend. It is to-die-for and can also be used a main dish too. When my family wants a deep fried turkey instead of the traditional, I make this instead of stuffing.