Halloween Harvest Crostini!

Here at The One! we like to share the occasional recipe.  And this weekend, in honor of Halloween, I've got a good one for you- Harvest Crostini! Perfect for a rehearsal dinner- or an autumnal ladies night.  Its my little modified version of a bruschetta recipe I once found.  I suggest you make a double recipe, because this is quite popular!  And have a Happy Halloweekend!

Harvest Crostini!

Crostini:

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 (or more) baguette loaf

Squash Dip:

1 bag of frozen butternut squash, cubed

2 T butter

¼ c chopped shallots

1 clove finely minced garlic

Pinch of cinnamon

Pinch of sage leaves (optional)

Pinch of salt

Pinch of cracked black pepper

Garnish:

½ cup dried cranberries

2 tablespoons orange juice

¼ cup walnut pieces, diced

Combine the dried cranberries, orange juice and walnut pieces in a bowl and allow to stand for 30 minutes.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375F.  Slice the baguette on a diagonal to create oval-shaped slices about 1 inch thick and place on a cookie sheet.  Brush each slice lightly with olive oil and bake for five minutes or until the bread is lightly toasted.  Set aside for dipping.

Add thawed squash cubes to a casserole dish.  Spread 1 tablespoon of butter over the surface.  Cook the squash for 1 hour or until fork tender.  Cool slightly and set aside.  Sauté 1 tablespoon of butter and all of the shallots or onion and garlic until translucent but not caramelized.  Add the squash to the pan and slowly cook the mixture about 10 minutes to evaporate some moisture and intensify the flavors.  Season the mixture with cinnamon, sage, salt and pepper to taste.  Blend the squash mixture in a food processor until smooth and thick.  Remove and add spread to a decorative dish.  Top with the cranberry garnish, and surround with baguette slices.

NOTE, you can also prepare this as bruschetta by spreading the squash mixture on the bread and topping with the cranberry garnish, but it is much easier to make ahead for a group if you keep all three elements separate.  I like to make it in the morning and then reheat the squash mixture before serving, adding the garnish after it has been heated.

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