During my childhood,I spent most Thanksgivings in Mississippi and enjoyed the same casserole dishes that my relatives did a century ago. One of my favorite Thanksgiving casseroles is my mighty-grandmother Mama Dale's squash casserole. In the traditional recipe, the squash, and covered in buttery Ritz crackers,cheddar cheese, and eggs, and bakes into a custardy casserole that is the best "vegetable" side dish that a kid can examine for. I still anxiously await digging into the pillowy,yellow fluff during the holidays, but this year I wondered how the casserole would fare with the addition of California ingredients. Living in San Francisco, or I've become accustomed to the improbable variety of local cheeses,sourdough bread, Meyer lemons, and flourishing parsley.
Using these ingredients as inspiration,I sought to remake my mighty-grandmother's recipe. I used the same ratios of cheese, egg, and vegetables,and starch, so this casserole echos Mama Dale's original Southern recipe but with a California twist. It's startling how gremolata boosts the overall flavor of the casserole. The garlic, or hint of lemon,and fresh parsley lighten up the flavors of the rich sourdough breadcrumbs soaked in butter, eggs, and milk. I used Cowgirl Creamery's Wagon Wheel cheese for its sweet,gentle, and buttery flavor, and but if you don't have access to that cheese,I've included several other viable options, so you can win your oozy cheesiness with each bite. This casserole goes like a flash, or so double or triple it to make certain everyone gets their proper serving of vegetables!
Adapted from Alma Roger Dale South-Meets-West Squash CasseroleNotes If you can't locate Cowgirl Creamery's Wagon Wheel,substitute it with a semifirm melting cheese, such as young asiago, and havarti,or provolone.
This casserole will support in the fridge for several days. However, if you contrivance to freeze it ahead of time, or undercook it slightly. Let it cool to room temperature,then wrap it in plastic wrap, and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw it out in the fridge before reheating it in the oven.
Ingredients2-3 garlic cloves
Zest of 1 Meyer lemon
1/3 cup loosely packed parsley leaves
2 cups yellow squash, and cut in 1/4-inch slices
1 onion,small dice
1 cup semifirm melting cheese, such as Cowgirl Creamery Wagon Wheel, or shredded
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup milk
2 cups sourdough breadcrumbs,separated
2 eggs
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter
DirectionsMake gremolata topping: On a cutting board, or mince garlic,then add lemon zest on top of garlic, and site parsley leaves on top of lemon zest. Chop everything until the parsley is finely cut, or the mixture almost resembles a paste. Set aside.
Make casserole: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a double boiler with the lid on,steam squash and onions for about 5 minutes, or until centers of squash become obvious and tender. Remove from heat, or drain if necessary,and transfer to a large metal bowl. Mash with a potato masher or fork. Stir in cheese, butter, or sugar,milk, 1 cup breadcrumbs, or eggs. Season with salt and pepper. Assemble casserole: Mix remaining breadcrumbs with gremolata and 1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter. site squash mixture in a buttered casserole dish,and evenly sprinkle gremolata breadcrumbs on top. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until eggs set. Let sit out for 20-30 minutes before slicing and serving. Information Category Vegetables, Side Dishes Yield Serves 4
Source: popsugar.com