Butternut Squash Waffles

Putting up packages of fruits and vegetables when they are ripe from the farm share means that I can pull them out in the middle of winter and feed my family from the farm share all year 'round.

Like the other morning.

I had buttermilk and was in a waffle mood.

A long time ago, while watching the Food Network, I'd written down Alton Brown's waffle recipe.  I love his Wet Team and Dry Team talk.  When I got to the "just walk away--walk away" part of the recipe (let the batter rest) I decided to take him literally.

We took the dog for a walk!

But before we did, I got the idea to set a package of roasted butternut squash on the counter to thaw,  snap a photo, and write a note to the <sleeping> kids to fix a fruit salad when they woke up.

We came back from our walk and the kids had woken up.  My daughter's fruit salad came mostly from berries we'd put up when they were in season (49 cent pints of blueberries, anyone?) along with a Band Fundraiser oranges and grapes.

I preheated the waffle iron, stirred the thawed squash into the batter, and we enjoyed tender, fluffy, flavorful waffles with a fresh fruit topping.

Easy, wholesome, delicious.

Butternut Squash Waffles (adapted from Alton Brown's Food Network show)

2 ounces butter (half a stick)
16 ounces buttermilk
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups roasted butternut squash puree

In a microwave safe large bowl, nuke the butter until it's nearly melted.  Set aside while you gather the rest of the ingredients.  When the butter is slightly cooler, mix in the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla.  Stir in the squash.  Stir until thoroughly combined.

Dump on top of the wet mixture the following:

2 cups white whole wheat flour
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder

Stir to combine.  Then take the dog for a walk, or surf the internet, or find something enjoyable to do for 30 minutes to an hour.

Preheat a waffle iron, and cook waffles according to manufacturer's directions.  If you've got an ancient waffle iron like my mom does, keep a fire extinguisher handy because that thing is just unsafe!

I got my waffle iron for Mother's day (along with a food processor, I was thoroughly spoiled) and stereotypes aside I love both gifts and love blessing the family with goodies using such wonderful tools.

This post is linked with the Farmgirl Friday Blog Fest at Let This Mind Be in You, What's Cookin' Wendesday at Buns In My Oven, and What's In The Box at In Her Chucks!