Butternut Squash Empanadas

5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 medium butternut squash (about 2 pounds), peeled and cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Cooking spray
7 tablespoons butter, divided
3 cups chopped onion
5 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 cup milk
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 2/3 cups shortening
2 teaspoons salt
2/3 to 3/4 cup ice water

Combine 3 tablespoons olive oil and next 4 ingredients in a large bowl; toss well. Spread squash mixture in a 15- x 10-inch jellyroll pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 450º for 15 minutes; stir squash, and bake 5 more minutes. Set aside.

Heat 3 tablespoons butter and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until butter melts.
Add onion, and cook 20 minutes or until caramelized, stirring often.
Melt remaining 4 tablespoons butter in a small heavy saucepan over low heat; whisk in 1/4 cup flour until smooth.
Cook 1 minute, whisking constantly.
Gradually whisk in milk; cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until mixture is thickened and bubbly.
Stir in nutmeg.
Stir sauce and squash mixture into onion mixture.
Let cool.

Combine remaining 5 cups flour, shortening, and 2 teaspoons salt using a fork or pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. (Mixture should have small lumps.)
Sprinkle 2/3 cup ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, evenly over surface; stir with a fork until dry ingredients are moistened.
Shape into a ball; roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
Cut dough into 4-inch circles.
Place about 2 tablespoons squash mixture in center of each dough circle.
Moisten edges of dough with water.
Fold dough over filling, and pinch to seal. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet.

Bake at 450º for 18 minutes or until golden.

Note: You may use thawed frozen empanada dough instead of the homemade pastry.

Makes 2 dozen.

 

POSTED BY:  MistyGlenn1 on 01/28/05