Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta

Cut the butternut squash in half length-wise, and remove the seeds. Drizzle olive oil on top of each half and season with salt + pepper. Place face down onto the prepared baking tray. Bake for 30 – 40 minutes, until tender. Allow to cool slightly, remove the skin, and dice into pieces. Set aside.

While the squash cooks, heat a pan over medium-high heat and add the chopped pecans. Stir often until the pecans begin to turn golden and become fragrant. Transfer to a small bowl. Set aside.

Set a large pot over medium-high heat and add the olive oil + diced onion. Allow it to cook for 5 minutes, until tender and fragrant. Mince the garlic cloves and add them to the pot, allowing them to soften. About 2 – 3 minutes. Stir consistently to prevent burning. Add the diced butternut squash, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, sage, and dried chili flakes. Cook for about 5 – 10 minutes to allow the flavors to strengthen. The longer you cook it, the stronger it will be. Add the heavy cream and bring to a slight boil. Transfer everything to a large blender or food processor, blending until smooth. Add this back into the pot over low heat. Adjust seasoning to taste, and add more heavy cream to thin it.

While the sauce keeps warm, cook the Spaghettini. Boil a large pot with salted water. Add the pasta and cook until floating + tender. This will be approximately 5 – 10 minutes. Follow the instructions on the box. Strain cooked pasta into a colander, and rinse with hot water. Transfer the cooked Spaghettini to the pot of pasta sauce, continue to keep warm on low.

Next, to make the fried sage, cover the bottom of a small pan with approximately 1-cm or less of oil and place over high heat. Once the oil begins to bubble, add the whole sage leaves. Let them fry for 20 - 30 seconds and then, using a fork or tongs, flip to the other side for another 20 – 30 seconds until golden.

Remove them from the heat carefully onto a plate layered with a paper towel, to drain excess oil.

Garnish the pasta with the toasted pecans, fried sage, parmesan cheese, extra chili flakes, cracked black pepper, and squeeze fresh lemon juice over top of each plate. Enjoy!!