FoodView
By Chris Murphy
It is fall, it is comfort food season.
I want warm food, savory food and something that is a little bit different. I don’t know about you, but I am pretty over Pumpkin Spice. So as we approach Thanksgiving, what can we enjoy that that has that warmth, a wonderful taste and will just make your taste buds come alive? The answer my friends is butternut squash. This tasty squash is not only cool looking, it really brings happiness to food, in ravioli, in soups, in pasta and so much more. Just like strawberries in the spring, cherries and corn in summer, we have pumpkin and butternut squash in October in November. But just where can you find this tasty treat? And how easy is it to cook with it? We have your answer and there are many ways you can enjoy this treat. In our area, butternut squash soup is the most common. I have tried many of them, and they are all different, some spicy and some rich and creamy. More of a reach is butternut squash ravioli. When you see this on a menu, my advice to you is order it immediately. So let’s do some squash exploration.
First things first. These are easy to roast in your own oven and they are available at most of our local grocery stores and at the Modesto Certified Farmer’s Market. They are pretty slick, you can cut them in half, scoop the seeds and glaze with your favorite accent and bake. Et voila, the transformations begin.
Now is where the fun begins.
First, when you stop reading this and get browsing on Instagram or TikTok, look no further than Marco @Woodfire-whiskey. He is posting some great recipes and easy preparations, and he has whipped up an amazing butternut squash soup, and showing you how to make it. Matching it up with a sandwich, he finishes with some of his favorite whiskeys. It’s a good combo meal deal. Check out this and his other culinary and whiskey paired treats.
Now we head to 11th Street to Food Fix
Located on 11th Street, Ashley Olsen has created a butternut squash soup, beginning with squash from her garden, and now with hand selected squash. Ashley is the craftiest in the kitchen and really created a tangy yet smooth roasted butternut squash soup that pairs nicely with their slaw. Once you try this, you are going to want to enjoy the rest of the menu and try her cookies for dessert that are out if this world.
Food Fix Butcher & Baker 938 11th Street Modesto 209- 525-3663 @foodfixbutcherandbaker
Around the corner, we find Concetta on J Street
Paul Tremayne always has something interesting to serve. Fresh off his trip to Italy, Paul’s butternut squash raviolis are inspired super unique, in a really good way. Not made from the traditional pasta, these incredible treats are made with won ton that gives them a really good texture and a nice bite. The butternut squash is enhanced with maple syrup and nutmeg and cooked. Prior to plating, the raviolis are quickly sautéed in brown butter to finish and then plated with a Romano cheese. These are a dream to eat, they are big and they are satisfying. Paul paired our raviolis with a Grace and Ada Grenache which made this experience perfect and left me wanting more. You better eat early to get these as Paul only makes enough for 10 -12 orders nightly. They are on the menu from November 1 to February 13.
Concetta 1205 J Street, Modesto 209-529-3282 @concettarestaurant
Then we mozied on to Fuzio on 10th Street
The trees in 10th St Plaza are changing colors and Fuzio is loaded with fall flavors and seasonal cocktails. The butternut squash soup is really refined and rich, sprinkled with sage, with fresh bread and butter. Thomas and Chef Justin normally like to put a nice spin on traditional flavors, but in this case, it isn’t necessary. The serving was just the right size and paired perfectly with a Rombauer Chardonnay.
Fuzio, 1020 10th St, Modesto 209-557-9711 @fuziobistro
Burleys
When I reached out on Facebook to explore butternut squash options, nearly everyone told me about Burly’s. It’s a cryin’ shame that I haven’t been there already as it is a fantastic place, staffed with an ex-Mallards team with chef Mike Ortiz. The entire menu is tempting but their butternut squash soup is nicely spiced, topped with candied walnuts, crème fraise and some fried kale paired with a William Hill Chardonnay. It is so smooth, I had to have a second bowl and Chef Mike and the regulars there make it a great time. You need to look closely to find it, but it is worth it and you will be back. Please check out Burly’s at 1219 N. Carpenter Rd. Suite 5. Modesto 209-312-9400 @Burlyscaliforniabistro
Galletto
The presentation of these butternut squash raviolis is beautiful. This year they have a new plate that spreads out the square raviolis so that each one gets the perfect amount of crumbled goat cheese and a delicious citrus beurre blanc. Add to this a sage walnut pesto and this is one of the most delicious raviolis you can get. The tangy goat cheese and citrus really bring out the butternut flavor. I paired this with a chardonnay and loved every bite. Finally, every piece of focaccia soaked up any extra buerre blanc and goat cheese. This is featured on the menu.
Galletto Ristorante 1101 J Street, Modesto 209-523-4500 @gallettoristo
Verona Cucina Italiano
The Italian flavors from the Jaime and Edwarda Alderete are always wonderful. I regularly enjoy their rich flavors and comfortable dining room or the bar. Every fall, butternut squash raviolis will find their way to my plate and they are really smooth and creamy, and there many of them so it is filling. They are not currently on the printed menu, but you can ask for them and the supply is limited, so don’t dilly dally.
Verona 1717 McHenry Ave, Suite 46 209-549-8876 @veroniacucin
Chefs of New York
Just got word from Vinnie and Kim Altadonna that butternut squash ravioli with a creamy tarragon sauce will be on the menu in November. I am so excited. Their raviolis all year long are on point and now that they have a full bar and live music on the weekends, it is quite the place and they are open daily at 7 am. 918 13th St Modesto 209-857-5102 @chefsofnewyorkdowntown
We also received great comments about
LaMo in Turlock
Gervasoni’s out on N. McHenry
Ciao Bella in Century Center
Velvet Creamery on McHenry
And many people’s home kitchens.
We will continue to search for butternut squash and will update this month with the #butternut tag. As always, ModestoView is out there looking for the tastiest treats for your fall flavors. #eatlocal
