RECIPE: Scallops with Butternut Squash and Basil Sauce
- Yield: Serves 3 to 4 1x
Description
This recipe was inspired by a dish prepared by local chef Joe DaSilva, who sometimes augments the dish with roasted diced beets.
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh bay scallops, muscle removed, rinsed and dried
- 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 bunch (or 2.5 ounce container) of fresh basil leaves, rinsed (about 1 cup)
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Squeeze of lemon
- Salt and Pepper
Instructions
1. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil and cook squash for about 20 minutes until tender. Drain water. Mash squash with a potato masher. Add butter, salt, and pepper to taste.
2. While butternut squash is cooking, make the basil sauce and prep the scallops. Remove the small muscle on the side of the scallops, rinse well, and dry.
3. To make the sauce, bring a small pot of water to boil. Add the basil leaves and boil for 30 seconds (this keeps the sauce bright green). Drain and pat dry with a paper towel. Add blanched basil to a blender with 1/2 cup olive oil, enough to blend easily. Blend until thoroughly mixed, about 1 minute. Strain in a fine-meshed strainer. Season with a pinch of salt.Â
4. To cook scallops, heat one or two sauté pans over medium-high heat. Add butter and olive oil to coat. Sear scallops on one side, about 1 to 2 minutes. Turn and sear the other side, 1to 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, and a few drops of lemon juice.Â
5. Arrange the butternut squash on a large platter. Place the scallops around. Add a squeeze of lemon to the basil sauce and spoon around, not on, the scallops.Â
