Friday, November 4, 2022

Butternut Squash & Bacon Crostini

Butternut Squash & Bacon Crostini


These Butternut Squash and Bacon Crostini are a delicious sweet and savory fall appetizer. Toasty bread, creamy ricotta cheese, sweet butternut squash, crispy bacon, and earthy sage - all make for a tasty treat that's perfect for the chilly season.

It also makes for a great Thanksgiving or holiday appetizer!


This serves 6.

 INGREDIENTS 

▢ 4 slices bacon

▢ ½ medium butternut squash about 2 cups cubed

▢ 1 cup ricotta cheese whipped

▢ 1 baguette sliced and toasted

▢ 2 tsp apple cider vinegar

▢ 1 tablespoon honey

▢ 1 tbsp fresh chopped sage

▢ 1 teaspoon salt

▢ ½ teaspoon pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

In a large skillet over medium heat cook the bacon until crispy - about 8-10 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a plate topped with a paper towel to absorb the excess grease. Leave the bacon fat in the skillet.

To the skillet with the bacon fat (still over medium heat) add the cubed butternut squash and cook stirring occasionally until tender - about 10-20 minutes depending on the size of the cubes. Add a bit of olive oil if the skillet gets dry.

To the cooked squash, add the sage, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper - mix to combine well and cook for about 2 minutes.

On each piece of toasted bread, top with an even amount of the ricotta cheese, followed by the butternut squash mixture, topped with the crispy bacon.

RECIPE ADAPTIONS

A few things you can change or add to make the recipe your own or tailor to specific food preferences:

Swap the ricotta cheese for goat cheese - you can whip the goat cheese or simply spread it on the bread.

Top with a balsamic glaze for a bit more of a hit, but I'd recommend pulling back on the apple cider vinegar or perhaps omitting entirely if you go this route.

Add pomegranates on top for a little pop of freshness.

(via Sur La Table)

I would personally top it with a balsamic glaze as I love balsamic vinegar. A glaze is easily made by taking a cup of balsamic vinegar in a saucepan and boiling it for a few minutes until reduced in half.

Looking for a great balsamic vinegar for yourself or as a Christmas gift for the chef in your life? My favorite is Williams Sonoma VSOP 25 Year Barrel - Aged Balsamic Vinegar.


Balsamic Vinegar



And sprinkle with Maldon Smoked Sea Salt - a great stocking stuffer too.


Maldon Smoked Sea Salt



And some appetizer plates to serve it on.


English Garden Canape Plates



Kraak Side Plate


Elin Plate in Iris Blue








7 comments:

  1. The English Garden canape plates are adorable! I just ordered 3 sets!

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  2. OMG, this looks fabulous! I'm definitely going to try it. Thank you Beth.

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  3. That looks like a wonderful appetizers to add to my collection! Yum! The last plate reminds me of Stangl.

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  4. This looks delicious. I will try it as soon as I see butternut squash already cut up at our Central Market.

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