Tempura-Fried Acorn Squash Crostini

Goat Cheese, Avocado Coulis, Rosemary Honey, Micro Arugula, Toasted Baguette

Chef James Martin of Bocadillo Market | Chicago

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Adapted by StarChefs | july 2024

INGREDIENTS

Acorn Squash:
3 acorn squash, peeled, halved lengthwise, and seeded
Kosher salt
Ground black pepper
½ cup olive oil
5 sprigs thyme
3 sprigs rosemary
3 sprigs oregano

Avocado Coulis:
1 bunch parsley
4 avocados
Juice of 4 lemons
¼ cup Cava vinegar
Kosher salt
Ground black pepper

Sobrasada Goat Cheese:
4 pounds goat cheese
2 pounds sobrasada

Tempura Batter:
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2⅓ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons kosher salt
¾ ounce Sherry vinegar
1¼ ounces olive oil
15¾ ounces soda water

To Assemble and Serve:
Yield: 1 serving
Oil for frying
Kosher salt
Ground black pepper
4 slices toasted baguette
1 avocado, large dice
Rosemary honey
Micro arugula

METHOD

For the Acorn Squash:
Heat oven to 350°F. On a work surface, cut squash into 8 equal pieces. In a mixing bowl, toss to coat squash in remaining ingredients. Set aside. Add squash mixture to an aluminum foil-lined sheet tray, then cover with additional foil. Bake 30 minutes, or until squash is fork-tender. Let cool. 

For the Avocado Coulis:
In a Vitamix Commercial blender, purée parsley, avocado, lemon, and vinegar until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Transfer to a squeeze bottle and refrigerate.

For the Sobrasada Goat Cheese:
In a mixing bowl, whisk to combine all ingredients until a fluffy texture is achieved. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate.

For the Tempura Batter:
In a mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients. Whisk in remaining ingredients. Set aside. 

To Assemble and Serve:
In a fryer, heat oil to 350°F. Coat 4 pieces Acorn Squash in Tempura Batter. Fry until golden, then immediately season with salt and pepper. Set aside. On a serving plate, pipe 1 large swirl Avocado Coulis around the plate. Place toasted baguette slices in different corners of the plate. Top each with Sobrasada Goat Cheese followed by 1 fried Acorn Squash and 1 cube avocado. Drizzle with honey. Finish with 1 dot Avocado Coulis and a sprinkle of salt. Garnish with micro arugula.

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