Parmigiana di zucca e lenticchie - Squash and Lentil Parmigiana

Today I feel like having a vegetarian Sunday lunch: something special but without meat. I prepare a winter Parmigiana, made with squash, lentils and spinach.
I start by cooking my ingredients, separately and in a different way: I bake the squash for 20 minutes, as I want it still crunchy.
I sauté my small brown lentils with onion and carrot and then I braise them in a little tomato passata and vegetable stock for 30 to 40 minutes.
I  sauté my spinach in oil and garlic for 5 minutes.

Torta zucca e arancia - Pumpkin and Orange Cake

Orange and pumpkin combine very well together, not only in terms of colour. Few days ago, in a restaurant, I tasted a delicious soup made with these two bright and sweet ingredients. I enjoyed it so much that I thought: Why not making a cake?

Vellutata zucca e porri - Squash and Leek Velouté

When I moved to London 23 years ago, I discovered the butternut squash, a kind of pumpkin but less sweet and more fleshy. Unknown in Italy at that time, the squash soon became the main ingredient in my autumn and winter dishes, such as soups, risotto, pasta, meat stews and even cakes. Squash was always in my pantry.

Minestra zucca e porri - Squash and Leek Soup

The delicate and colourful butternut squash brings joy into the winter soups. 

Minestra lenticchie, zucca e spinaci - Lentil Squash and Spinach Soup

Today I feel like having a soup, a good soup. I will make it with three main ingredients: lentils, butternut squash and spinach. 

Risotto Zucca e Porcini - Squash and Porcini Risotto

Picture by Giulia Verdinelli

Risotto is a versatile dish I like to make in every season with different ingredients. This is an Autumn recipe, tasty and colourful. Butternut squash and porcini combine well together and the fresh rosemary enhances the earthy aroma of the dish.