1 large Winter Squash, your choice
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Tbsp Butter (optional)
2 Tbsp Maple Syrup or Brown Sugar (optional)
1/2 to 1 cup Vegetable or Chicken broth or stock (optional)
Salt & Pepper
Preheat oven to 375°.
Rub olive oil on your hands then onto a cookie sheet or baking pan.
Rub hands on washed winter squash. Wash hands and put squash into pan and into the oven.
DO NOT PIERCE SKIN OF SQUASH.
Cook 45 mins to one hour. Squash will smell great and the skin will start to get slightly brown.
It will dent easily if you press on the side with a wooden spoon.
Remove from oven and let cool 10 mins.
Cut squash in half. Remove and discard seeds and strings.
Scoop out all the cooked squash, right up to the outer skin and place in a large bowl.
Whip with a mixer.
Eat it plain with salt and pepper or indulge with butter and syrup or sugar.
If you like it thinner, add broth or stock.
To spice it up, add fresh or dried herbs.
This keeps so well you can make it days ahead. It will be as good reheated as it is fresh-baked.
Anne, Sept 2008