Delicata and Apple Risotto with Blue Cheese and Pecans

Ingredients

• 1
  
  delicata squash, peeled, cut into 1 inch dice
  
• 2 1/2
  
  tablespoons olive oil
  
• 1/2
  
  small onion, finely diced
  
• 1
  
  small granny smith apple, peeled and finely diced
  
• 1
  
  clove garlic, minced
  
• 1/2
  
  tablespoon minced fresh sage
  
• 1 1/2
  
  cups arborio rice
  
• 1/2
  
  cup dry white wine (like a Savignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
  
• 5
  
  cups vegetable broth
  
• 1/2
  
  crumbled blue cheese (I like Maytag Blue Cheese)
  
• 1/2
  
  cup chopped pecans
  

Directions

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Toss squash with olive oil, salt and pepper and roast for ~20 minutes until lightly browned.
3. In a medium to large pot, heat broth on low heat.
4. Heat remaining 1 1/2 TBSP olive oil or butter over medium heat in dutch oven or large deep pot.
   Add onion and apple and sautee for ~5 minutes until moisture is released and onions begin to soften.
5. Add garlic, sage, salt and pepper and sautee for another minute.
6. Add rice and stir to coat grains with oil and lightly toast – about another minute.
7. Add white wine to deglaze pan.
8. When most of the wine is evaporated, add one ladle of broth and stir until most of the liquid is absorbed.
9. Continue adding broth, one ladle at a time, stirring very fequently.
10. Continue to cook and stir, allowing the rice to absorb each addition of broth before adding more.
11. After 10 minutes, add roasted squash to risotto.
12. After 15 minutes of adding broth and stirring, taste rice for doneness. Rice should be cooked through and the starches in the rice should create a creamy texture. If rice is still too firm, continue adding broth until it is cooked through, if you run out of broth, you can use water to finish off the cooking.
13. When risotto is done, serve immediately topped with blue cheese and pecans.