Sandy Tart or Everything But the Kitchen Sink

Hurricane Sandy has left her mark in small ways and devastating ways.  While most of the country is focusing on tomorrow's election, I cannot think about anything but the devastation we have seen here in New Jersey and New York.

My town is wrestling with no power--a minor inconvenience--while so many others have lost so much more.  We are gathering supplies for Shore towns, wondering whether to skip the postponed trick-or-treating altogether, helping neighbors.  I am cooking and baking and hoping feeding people will offer them some comfort.

With gas and groceries in limited supply, "use what you have" is the name of the game.  This is my Sandy aka Everything but the Kitchen Sink tart.  I found puff pastry in the back of the freezer.  Hardy sage still standing in my garden. Bacon, roasted butternut squash and some cheeses in the refrigerator.  Some pistachios sitting on the counter were not be left out.  Why not?  I'm hoping to share with some neighbors who are sitting in their cold, dark houses.  Maybe for a brief moment they will be warmed and taken care of.  I wish I could do the same for everyone.

When this comes out of the oven, add a drizzle of balsamic glaze or vinegar or even maple syrup or honey would be nice.  Keep in the spirit of "use what you have".  And share with a neighbor.

Kitchen Sink Tart

Serves 4

1 sheet of puff pastry

2 cups cubed, roasted butternut squash*

4 slices of bacon, cooked and chopped

1/4 cup of cheese (I used ricotta salata and parmesan)

2 T chopped sage

1/4 cup chopped pistachios

1T balsamic glaze (or truffled honey or maple syrup)

1. Preheat oven to 400F.

2. Place thawed puff pastry sheet on a baking sheet.  With a sharp knife, score the tart on all 4 sides 1/4 inch from the edge.  Do not cut all the way through the dough.  This will form the edge of the tart.

3. Top with butternut squash, bacon, cheeses, pistachios and sage.

4. Bake for 20 minutes.  Let cool for 5 minutes. Cut and drizzle with balsamic glaze.

*To roast squash: Cube and toss with 2T olive oil, salt and pepper and 1T maple syrup.  Bake on baking sheet at 400 for 20 minutes or until squash is golden and tender.