A Year-Round Guide to Franklin and Nantahala

Yield: 8 servings. 1 large butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into ½-inch cubes (about 6 cups) 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon kosher salt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Rosemary and Goat Cheese Strata

Yield: 8 servings. 1 large butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into ½-inch cubes (about 6 cups) 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon kosher salt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Yield: 8 servings.

1 large butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into ½-inch cubes (about 6 cups)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 small onion, chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
1 pound ground pork sausage, cooked and drained
1 large Pink Lady or Honeycrisp apple, cored and chopped
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried sage
¾ cup dried cranberries
2 large eggs, beaten
Fresh flat-leaf parsley (for garnish)

Preheat oven to 425°. In a large mixing bowl, toss squash with olive oil and salt until evenly coated. Spread out squash in a single layer on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roast squash for 30 to 40 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove from oven and set aside.

Heat a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat and melt the butter. Stir in chopped onion and celery; cook for about 3 to 5 minutes or until onions and celery are translucent.

Reduce heat to medium to medium-low and add cooked sausage to the skillet. Stir in chopped apple and cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until apples are just soft. Stir in ½ teaspoon salt, sage, cranberries, and roasted squash. Reduce heat and stir to combine. Simmer for 2 more minutes, remove from heat, and set aside.

Add beaten eggs to squash-sausage mixture and toss to incorporate. Transfer mixture into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish prepared with cooking spray and spread evenly into corners.

Reduce oven temperature to 350°. Bake for 30 minutes or until top of squash-sausage mixture is toasted and set. Garnish with fresh parsley.

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This story was published on Oct 13, 2021

Lynn Wells

Lynn Wells gained a fond respect and interest in cooking from her mother and Aunt Addie at the age of 8 in North Carolina. During college, Wells worked in a wide range of restaurants, from fine dining to family- owned. After graduating from UNC Greensboro with a degree in nutrition management and hospitality, Wells began a 21-year career in the nutrition department at Cone Health. In 2014, Wells started Thyme Well Spent Personal Chef Service, an in-home cooking experience for private clients, which continues today. Wells is also a food writer, food stylist, culinary consultant, and the recipe developer/writer for Our State.