Butternut Squash and Caramelized Onion Focaccia

By dkanon

Ingredients

• 2.25 tsp (1 packet) active dry or instant yeast
• 1.25 cups warm water (110 degrees F)
• 1.5 tbsp sugar
• 17.5 oz all purpose flour (3.5 cups)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup + 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 softball sized yellow onions, sliced
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 3 lb butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into cubes
• 2 oz gruyere cheese (add more if you like)
• salt and pepper
• balsamic glaze, for drizzling

Details

Servings 1
Adapted from fifteenspatulas.com

Preparation

Step 1

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the yeast, warm water, and sugar, and give it a stir. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes until the liquid is foamy. Add the flour, salt, and 1/4 cup olive oil, and use a wooden spoon or the dough hook to stir and roughly combine. Fit the mixer with the dough hook and knead for 10 minutes on medium low speed. Cover the dough for one hour to let it rise and double in size.

While the dough rises, prepare the caramelized onions and butternut squash. Heat up a large skillet over medium heat and add 2 tbsp olive oil. Add the onions, fresh rosemary, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of pepper. Cook for 20-30 minutes until soft and caramelized. Remove the rosemary stems (but leave the leaves).

To cook the butternut squash, you can either saute the cubes in the same skillet you used for the onions for about 20 minutes until tender, or roast in a 400 degree oven for 15-20 minutes. Make sure to season the butternut squash cubes with salt, pepper, and a little oil before cooking.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F, and pour the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil onto a sheet pan. Spread the dough out onto the sheet pan, using your fingertips to stretch the dough. Top with the cooked butternut squash cubes and the caramelized onions, and sprinkle the top with salt and pepper. Add the cheese, and bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese has melted and the focaccia has finished cooking (either break apart a piece, or check with a thermometer that the interior has reached 200 degrees F). Cut the focaccia into pieces and drizzle with balsamic glaze, if desired. Enjoy!