Garlic Roasted Squash Grilled Cheese

It's that time of year when my backpack starts to get real heavy. Not from schoolbooks but from squash and pumpkins! Nothing says fall more then seeds roasting in the oven.

Roast a squash and you will have the base for a variety of meals from squash soup to ravioli. Today's recipe takes a classic grilled cheese and ups the ante by adding in garlic roasted squash. It's a perfect dish for left over squash or try it with pumpkin too.

Use any squash you prefer, I had butternut squash on hand. It's low in fat, filled with fiber and offers significant amounts of potassium  (important for bone health) and vitamin B6 (essential for the proper functioning of both the nervous and immune systems.)

Add a squash to your shopping  bag and lift from your legs, not your back for this gooey, delectable Fat and Happy sandwich.


Fat and Happy Food Blog Tips and Techniques: Cutting the squash in half will be there hardest part of the whole process. Besides a sharp knife, try using a dead blow hammer. I've designated an old chef's knife for this rather than use my good ones.

Garlic Roasted Squash Grilled Cheese

Sandwich:

 cheese (I used a Cheddar Gruyere Melange)

roasted squash

bread*

coconut oil

fruit pepper jelly (optional)

Side salad:

arugula

squeeze of lemon

olive oil, extra virgin

coarse salt

 Let's not over-complicate this:  Smash some roasted squash (recipe below) onto a piece of bread, top with some cheese. Spread coconut oil on each side of the sandwich, toss into a pan over medium heat until golden brown. Flip and brown on the second side. 

While the squash grilled cheese is doing it's thing, toss the arugula with a little drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of fresh lemon. Top with good coarse salt, I used a black lava salt.

Enjoy while the sandwich is warm with a smear of hot jelly for dipping.

 

How to Roast a Squash:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut the squash in half, spoon out the insides (save the seeds to roast!)

Rub the inside of the squash with olive oil, add a touch of minced garlic, salt and black pepper. Place cut side down onto a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. 

Place in the oven for around 40 minutes or until the squash reaches desired tenderness. Time will depend on the size of your squash and how your oven cooks.

 *use Gluten Free bread to make this a GF option