Ingredients

  • 1 medium butternut squash (I substituted a 'Delicata' squash from our CSA box)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 12 ounces free range ground lamb
  • 12 ounces free range ground beef
  • 34 cup dry white wine (use broth or stock for non-alcoholic version)
  • 14 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 14 ounces fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • salt, to taste
  • fresh ground pepper, to taste
  • 34 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
  • 1 lb dry pasta (I used 3/4-inch ditalini. Read recipe intro^^)
  • 6 tablespoons butter
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 12 cups parmesan cheese, grated (read recipe intro^^)
  • dried greek oregano
  • 34 cup butter
  • 34 cup unbleached flour
  • 3 cups milk
  • 3 eggs, beaten
  • 14 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • white pepper, to taste
  • 1 12 teaspoons salt (I used half that amount if not less)

Method

  • Original recipe: Peel the uncooked squash, cut in half and remove seeds.
  • Dice into 1/2 cubes (approx.
  • 6 c).
  • Season with salt and pepper and steam or saute until tender (approx.
  • 15 min); set aside.
  • ------->> Or, *my change:* I cut the squash in half lengthwise and placed the two pieces on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
  • Drizzled lightly with olive oil, light sprinkle of ground cinnamon, salt and pepper and roasted @ 425 degrees for about 45 minutes or until tender.
  • The flesh was scooped out, mashed with a fork and stored covered in the fridge.
  • This was done the day before to cut down on prep time.
  • Heat up the olive oil In a large sauce pan on medium heat and saute onion 3 minutes, until slightly softened.
  • Add lamb and beef and cook 6-8 min; drain off all excess fat.
  • Add wine, parsley, tomatoes and seasonings; simmer 10 minutes.
  • Add breadcrumbs, adjust seasoning if necessary; set aside.
  • Cook pasta in boiling, salted water until al dente (you want the pasta *slightly* undercooked).
  • Drain and toss with butter, eggs and 1 cup Parmesan/cheese mixture; set aside.
  • Prepare Bechamel sauce: In a sauce pan, melt butter, slowly whisk in flour and stir constantly approximately 5 minute Add milk, whisking constantly.
  • Stir until sauce has thickened.
  • Remove from heat, cool slightly and stir in eggs, nutmeg, salt and white pepper.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Grease 9x13 baking dish with olive oil.
  • Place half of the pasta on the bottom in an even layer pressing lightly with a flat spatula.
  • Spoon meat mixture over pasta, spread evenly.
  • Top with squash (I spread the squash puree with a spatula), repeat with remaining pasta, pressing down lightly.
  • Finish with Bechamel, and sprinkle with 1/2 cup Parmesan.
  • (I stirred the cheese into the Bechamel sauce and melted it until smooth).
  • Lightly sprinkle the top with Greek oregano.
  • Bake 45 min, until crust is light golden brown.
  • Important: Let rest 20 minutes before serving.