Butternut Squash Tart with Caramelized Onion
I’m so thankful for people who throw parties. Especially when they proceed to invite ME!
Sharing meals with those from different pockets of our life – family, work, school, church, sports, etc. – provides a means for getting to know people better, and many times helps us to branch out and meet new friends. Another huge bonus from these gatherings, for me, is getting a peek into everyone’s favorite recipes. Such is the case with this Butternut Squash Tart with Caramelized Onion.
I fell in love with this tart many years ago, while watching my beautiful friend Meghan open up baby gifts, in anticipation of her first child. A group of us girls were gathered in the home of Meghan’s friend, Heather, who set out the most beautiful brunch spread.
This tart caught me unexpectedly. I took a small piece, thinking it would be a safe amount to consume if I didn’t like it. But then I should have known to trust the rumors of what a good cook Heather was. The tart was lovely, and of course, I had to go back for another (bigger) piece!
Bursting with creamy butternut squash, this tart is one I have made each and every fall since that baby shower all those years ago. The variety of cheeses offer beautiful depth, and the fresh rosemary and thyme make me such a happy girl. Nestled in a perfectly flaky pastry shell and topped with a delicately crunchy layer of buttery breadcrumbs, it makes for a beautiful dish on any fall table. When paired with fresh fruit and a green salad, it’s absolutely splendid.
Butternut Squash Tart with Caramelized Onion
Nestled in a perfectly flaky pastry shell and topped with a delicately crunchy layer of buttery breadcrumbs, it makes for a beautiful dish on any fall table.
Ingredients
- for the pastry shell:
- 1/2 c. cold unsalted butter
- 1.25 c. all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. sugar
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 c. ice water
- for the filling:
- 1 small butternut squash (about 1 to 1.5 pound)
- 1.5 tsp. olive oil plus about 2 teaspoons for brushing squash
- 1 c. chopped onion
- 1.5 T. unsalted butter
- 1 whole large egg plus 1 egg yolk
- 1/3 c. heavy cream
- 3/4 c. grated Italian Fontina cheese or smoked Gouda
- 1/3 c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 c. crumbled mild soft goat cheese
- 1 tsp. minced fresh rosemary
- 1 tsp. minced fresh thyme
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 1/3 c. bread crumbs
Instructions
- Cut butter into pieces. In a food processor blend flour, sugar, and salt until combined. Add butter and pulse until most of mixture resembles coarse meal, with remainder in small pea-sized lumps. Add 2 tablespoons of water and pulse just until incorporated. Test mixture by gently squeezing a small handful: If it does not hold together, add enough remaining water, 1 tablespoon at a time, pulsing and testing, until mixture just forms a dough.
- Form dough into a disk. Chill dough, wrapped in plastic wrap, 30 minutes.
- On a lightly floured surface roll out dough into a 12-inch round (about 1/8 inch thick). Fit dough into an 11'' tart pan with a removable fluted rim. Freeze pastry shell 20 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375° F.
- Line pastry shell with foil and fill with pie weights or raw rice. Bake shell in middle of oven until edge is pale golden, about 20 minutes. Carefully remove foil and weights or rice and bake shell 10 minutes more, or until bottom is golden. Leave oven on. Cool shell in pan on a rack.
- Halve the squash and scoop out seeds. Lightly brush each cut side of squash with about 1 teaspoon oil and lay cut sides down on a baking pan. Roast in middle of oven for about 40 minutes, or until soft.
- While squash is roasting, place heavy skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 tablespoon butter and remaining 1-1/2 teaspoons oil, plus the onion. Stir occasionally, until soft and just golden brown, about 20 minutes. If the onion starts to darken before it is softened, turn the heat down a bit. This should take 15 to 20 minutes.
- Cool squash and scoop out flesh. In a food processor purée squash. Add whole egg, egg yolk, and cream, and blend well. Transfer mixture to a large bowl and stir in cheeses, herbs, onion, salt, and pepper to taste. Pour filling into shell, smoothing the top.
- In a small bowl, melt remaining tablespoon butter in the microwave. Stir in bread crumbs until combined well. Sprinkle bread crumb mixture evenly over filling. Bake tart in middle of oven 40 minutes, or until filling is set. Cool tart in pan on rack 10 minutes and carefully remove rim.
- This is best served while still warm or at room temperature the day it is made. Left-overs make for an excellent lunch the following day. Serve with fresh fruit and a fresh green salad with a vinegar-y dressing...yum!
Notes
Adapted from Gourmet magazine, November 1998.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 476Total Fat: 33gSaturated Fat: 20gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 132mgSodium: 693mgCarbohydrates: 30gFiber: 2gSugar: 5gProtein: 16g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated by Nutritionix. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your own favorite calculator.
Oh my! This tart looks wonderful. I love all the cheese in the filling. Delish!
oh my! this sounds perfect for today. it’s cold & rainy here.
you always come up with the best homey but gourmet recipes, brenda!!!
have a super week!
kellie
“homey and gourmet”, what a lovely compliment. Thank you, Kellie! xo PS…please send some rain our way, it is SO DRY here!!
Gorgeous tart! Love the use of squash for it! And the caramelized onions – oh yum!
I have butternut squash on my counter and onions in my pantry. Making this today!!
Mmmmm, just created a squash board ~ this tasty recipe now has the perfect home on Pinterest!
A squash board, love it! Thanks Marla! :)
Yum! Okay, this recipe makes me miss dairy… :) I’ll just have to figure out a way to tweek it. It is on my “must try” list now! So delicious looking!
I love how you play with recipes so your whole family can enjoy them! Let me know how it goes, Angela!
Oh my goodness, that sounds delightful! I love all the comforting fall flavors prepared in unique ways.
Looks wonderful, a great fall idea!
This tart looks wonderful! I love the idea of the combo of cheeses with the bright butternut and sweet onions.
This looks so fantastic Brenda! I don’t think you can go wrong with that combination of flavors!
Some of my favourite recipes have come from gatherings such as the baby shower you garnered this from. What a lovely tart to celebrate some of Fall’s bounty.
This looks fabulous! I adore butternut squash and never would have come up with the idea of using it in a tart. All the flavors sound wonderful! The creamy thick squash with the fontina cheese and caramelized onions sounds just perfect as a side dish on a fall evening! Great recipe!
Prettt much love everything about the sounds of this one! Dinally looks like we may break out of the 80 degree days so I can make this– can’t wait to try.
Hi Debi! So nice to hear from you!! Can we trade weather? We had to break down and turn on the heat a couple days ago. I’m not ready for winter!
Butternut squash and caramelized onions together are perfect!
I absolutely love this Brenda! I think I could live on butternut squash this time of year. A tart is a genius way to enjoy it!