Butternut Squash Tart with Pomegranate-Cranberry Glaze
This tart is full of surprises- the shiny tangy, pomegranate-cranberry glaze pretties up the sometimes dowdy squash tart. Under the creamy filling is another surprise- a thin layer of chocolate that adds another layer of complexity and luxury- as well as keeping the crunchy crust, well, crunchy.
SERVINGS 10-12
For the crust:
13 whole graham crackers (to yield 1 ¾ cups)
8 Tbsp (1 stick) melted butter
¼ cup sugar
Pinch of salt
4 oz bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, melted
For the filling:
1 pound precut peeled butternut squash
1 Tbsp butter, melted
3 oz whole milk
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2/3 cup pure maple syrup
½ tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
For the glaze:
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1 cup pomegranate juice
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
¼ cup sugar
To finish:
2/3 cup pomegranate seeds
Heat oven to 375°. Process graham crackers, sugar, and salt in the bowl of food processor until fine crumbs form. Add melted butter, and pulse to combine. The mixture should feel like wet sand. Spread out in an 11-inch tart pan with a removable bottom and press in, taking care to build up the sides so you’ll have a nice top edge. Bake 8-10 minutes, until golden. Cool for about 10 minutes, and spread evenly with the chocolate. Let cool while you make the filling.
Toss butternut squash with the melted butter and roast until tender, about 35-40 minutes. The tip of a paring knife should slide in easily when done.
Reduce oven heat to 350°. Transfer squash to a blender, and blend until smooth. Add milk, eggs, maple syrup, salt, vanilla, and spices, and blend until well combined. Pour into the cooled crust, place on a baking sheet and bake for 30-35 minutes, until slightly puffed at the edges. Place on a cooling rack. Once cool, you can refrigerate for up to 2 days if not serving right away.
To make glaze, slowly whisk the pomegranate juice into the cornstarch in a small bowl until smooth. Combine with the cranberries and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 5-10 minutes, until cranberries have all burst and are very soft. Let cool slightly, and pass through a sieve set over a bowl, using a rubber spatula to squeeze out all of the liquid. Scrape the back side of the strainer and stir the glaze. If it looks too thick to pour smoothly, add a few drops of water. Pour over the tart (it can be chilled, or just cool enough to handle), and tip it around so the glaze is even. Decorate the edge with the pomegranate seeds. Chill until ready to serve.