Butternut Butter

Ingredients

• 2
  
  butternut squash, halved lengthwise and seeded
  
• 
  
  Oil or butter to coat tops of squash
  
• 2
  
  cups fresh apple cider
  
• 1
  
  tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
  
• 1
  
  teaspoon salt
  
• 1
  
  cup high grade maple syrup
  

Directions

1. Heat oven to 400° F. Trim the ends from the squash, then halve lengthwise, discarding the seeds. Transfer the squash, cut-side up, to a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil. Rub tops of squash with oil or butter.
2. Cover the squash with foil. Roast until softened, 45 to 60 minutes. Uncover and set aside until cool enough to handle. Working in batches, scoop the softened squash from the shells and place into a food processor. Add 1 1/2 cup of apple cider, reserving extra 1/2 cup for later.
3. Puree the squash mixture until smooth.
4. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine cider-puree mixture, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and maple syrup. Stir to mix.
5. Simmer mixture, uncovered, over medium for 20 minutes stirring occasionally. If mixture begins to dry out, add reserved apple cider.
6. After 20 minutes, remove from heat. Once cooled, use a pressure cooker to can in 1/2 pint mason jars. Gift a jar of butternut butter with a crusty loaf of bread, homemade graham crackers, or goat cheese and crackers.