October

Cauliflower Stir Fry

1 small head Cauliflower, or 1/2 large head
2-3 Tbsp peanut oil
2 slices of ginger
1/4 Tsp sea salt
3/4 cup chicken stock
1/2 cup of spring onion, cut to rounds
1 Tbsp of sesame oil

You can see from the ingredient list that it is quite specific. This very simple dish has few factors, therefore the taste quality of each factor becomes important.

Wash and cut cauliflower into florets. Shake as much water as you can from the cauliflower.

Heat wok at medium high until it starts smoking, add oil and swirl to coat wok. Right away add ginger slices and stir briefly to infuse ginger essence into oil.

Add cauliflower (Careful here!: There will be a loud hissing and spitting of oil as any water left on the cauliflower hits the hot oil. Just tip the bowl containing cauliflower into the wok facing away from you and watch out for that spitting oil) and stir to coat all the cauliflower florets with oil.

Add salt. Keep stirring until the florets start to show some brown spots (about 2 minutes), turn down the heat to medium low, add the chicken stock and cover, stirring occassionally.

Let simmer for 2-3 minutes or until only a 1/4 cup of stock is left in wok (this will be the sauce). The cauliflower should be soft, not crisp.

Add spring onions, give everything a toss and turn off the heat. Add sesame oil, mix and serve.

Spinach Salad with Beets and Balsamic Vinaigrette

For the Salad
Optional: pecan halves (or walnuts, toasted)
2 to 3 slices bacon (diced, or about 3 ounces of diced pancetta)
1 pound beets (trimmed, cooked, peeled, and diced)
4 cups spinach
1/4 cup red onion (thinly sliced)
Optional: shredded cheese (or crumbled goat cheese or feta)
For the Dressing
1 clove garlic (crushed and minced)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (or a similar gourmet mustard)
4 tablespoons honey
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
2/3 cup olive oil

Arrange the pecans or walnuts in a dry skillet and place over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly until the nuts are lightly browned and aromatic.

In a skillet over medium heat, fry the diced bacon until crisp or fry the pancetta until browned.

Transfer to paper towels to drain.

Dice the bacon and set aside.

Arrange spinach leaves on 4 salad plates. Top with diced beets, diced bacon or pancetta, red onion, and pecans or walnuts. If desired, top with cheese.

In a skillet over medium heat, fry the diced bacon until crisp or fry the pancetta until browned.

Transfer to paper towels to drain.

Dice the bacon and set aside.

Arrange spinach leaves on 4 salad plates. Top with diced beets, diced bacon or pancetta, red onion, and pecans or walnuts. If desired, top with cheese.

In a bowl or blender, combine the garlic, salt, pepper, mustard, honey, and balsamic vinegar. Whisk or blend in the olive oil in a steady stream.

Drizzle the dressing over the salad or serve on the side.

Tips
Boiled Beets: To boil beets, first start by washing and trimming the beets, leaving about 2 inches of the stem and root ends. Place the beets in a large saucepan and cover with salted water (about 1 teaspoon of salt per quart). Add a few teaspoons of vinegar or lemon juice to the water. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to cook for about 40 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of the beets.

Roasted Beets: To roast beets, first wash the beets and trim, leaving an inch or two on the stem and root ends. Rub the beets with a little vegetable oil and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper; wrap in foil and bake at 375 F for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until tender. The time varies depending on the size of the beets. You can also roast the beets in the slow cooker.

Spinach Salad with Apple Vinaigrette

1 bag/10-12 ounces fresh spinach
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons grated sweet onion (or purple onion)
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup apple (finely chopped)
Optional Garnish: crumbled cooked bacon and walnut or pecan halves

Gather the ingredients.

Wash spinach and let dry.

In a bowl whisk together the sugar, vinegar, grated onion, mustard, salt, and vegetable oil. Add the apple.

Refrigerate spinach and dressing separately until serving time.

Pour dressing over spinach just before serving and toss. If desired, sprinkle with crumbled bacon and nuts.

Spinach Salad with Apples, Pears, and Nuts

8-10 cups baby spinach (or other greens)
1 apple cored and finely chopped
1 pear cored and finely chopped (instead of 1 apple and 1 pear you could 2 apples or 2 pears)
1/2 cup candied pecans (or walnuts, or other nuts)
1/4 lb crumbled feta (or goat cheese, or blue cheese)

Salad dressing:
4 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1 garlic clove, pressed
1/4 teaspoon salt

In a salad bowl, combine greens, fruit, nuts, and cheese.
In a separate bowl (or blender) combine all the salad dressing ingredients (olive oil, vinegar, honey, dry mustard, garlic and salt) and whisk to combine.

Pour dressing over salad and serve.

Apple Pandowdy

1 roll puff pastry thawed

Filling:
5-6 large apples cooking/pie apples, peeled and cored
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
3 Tbsp water
6 Tbsp white sugar
6 Tbsp packed brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon

Topping:
2 Tbsp white or turbinado sugar

Preheat oven to 425F.

Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add water, white sugar and brown sugar, and bring to a boil. Reduce temperature to low to keep warm.

Grease an 8-inch round skillet, pan, pie plate (or equivalent sized) pan. Set on a baking sheet and set aside.

Peel and core apples, then thinly slice. Add to prepared baking pan, filling the pan about 2/3-3/4 full.

Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut thawed puff pastry into irregular, 1-inch-ish shapes. Scatter about 1/3 of the pastry pieces randomly over top of apples. Slowly pour the sugar mixture over-top, pouring all around the pan to make sure the filling reaches all parts of the pan. Pour slowly so it drips down into the apples and not over the side.

Place the remaining pastry pieces on top, overlapping, as necessary and leaving a few small open spots (to allow steam to escape). Sprinkle a bit of sugar on to the top of pastry.

Place into preheated oven (on baking sheet to catch overflowing juices!) and bake for 15 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 350F and continue baking for an addition 35-40 minutes, or until filling is bubbly and pastry is golden brown and puffy. Let stand a few minutes before serving.

Lovely served with a dusting of icing sugar and a scoop of ice cream.

Maple-Cider Vinegar Roasted Carrots

2 teaspoons unsalted butter
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound medium carrots with green tops, scrubbed well, 2 tablespoons of the greens chopped and reserved for garnish
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1/4 cup chopped roasted cashews

Preheat the oven to 375°.

In a large heatproof skillet, melt the butter in the olive oil over moderately high heat. Add the carrots, salt and pepper and cook until browned all over, turning occasionally, 3 to 4 minutes.

Remove the skillet from the heat and add the vinegar and maple syrup. Shake the skillet to coat the carrots.

Transfer to the oven and roast for 6 to 8 minutes, until ?the carrots are just tender but still crisp in the center.

Transfer to a platter, top with the cashews and carrot greens and serve.

Roasted Kabocha with Maple Syrup and Ginger

3 pounds kabocha squash—peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch-thick wedges
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon finely grated peeled fresh ginger
6 thyme sprigs, plus thyme leaves for garnish
Kosher salt

Preheat the oven to 450°. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss the squash wedges with the maple syrup, olive oil, ginger, thyme sprigs and salt. Arrange the squash in a single layer and roast for 15 minutes. Flip and roast for 15 minutes longer, until golden and tender. Discard the thyme sprigs. Transfer the squash to a serving platter and garnish with thyme leaves.

The squash can be made up to 6 hours ahead.

Maple Baked Sweet Potatoes

4 medium sweet potatoes (3 pounds), peeled and sliced 1-1/2 inch thick
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
1/3 cup water

Preheat the oven to 400°. In a large saucepan, cover the sweet potato slices with water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to moderate and cook until just tender, about 5 minutes. Drain well.

Arrange the sweet potatoes in a large gratin dish. Season with the salt and pepper, then dot with the butter pieces. Drizzle the maple syrup over the sweet potatoes, sprinkle with the water and bake for 15 minutes. Turn the sweet potatoes over and bake for about 25 minutes longer, until they’re tender and lightly browned. If necessary, broil the sweet potatoes for a minute or two before serving.

Roasted Cauliflower, Paneer, and Lentil Salad

For the salad:
1/2 cup green lentils
1/2 cup black lentils
1 small head cauliflower (about 1 pound)
1 10-ounce block paneer, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 2 cups total)
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
4 scallions, green and white parts, thinly sliced

For the cilantro-oil dressing:
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup tightly packed, fresh cilantro leaves
1 Serrano chile, seeded, if desired
Juice of 1 lime, about 1/4 cup
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Rinse the lentils in a fine-mesh strainer under cold running water and pick out any stones or imperfect beans. Transfer to a medium saucepan and add enough water to cover by about 1 inch. Bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, turn the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until tender but not mushy, 25 to 60 minutes. The cooking time will vary depending on how old the lentils are, so check them every 5 minutes after the first half hour. When they have reached desired doneness, drain through a fine-mesh strainer and set on a clean kitchen towel to absorb any remaining liquid.

While the lentils are cooking, roast the cauliflower and paneer: Cut the cauliflower into bite-size florets and transfer to a roasting or sheet pan. Add the paneer. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with the olive oil, mixing to coat evenly. Roast, stirring occasionally, until the florets and paneer are crispy on the outside and feel tender when pierced with a skewer or knife, 20 to 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the dressing: Combine all the ingredients in a blender and pulse at medium-high speed until smooth and paste-like.

When the cauliflower and paneer are done, transfer to a large bowl and gently stir in the drained lentils and scallions. Taste and adjust the seasoning, if necessary. Drizzle with 1/2 to 1/3 cup of the dressing, to taste, and serve warm or at room temperature. (Store the leftover salad and dressing in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to four days. Shake the dressing before using.)

Roasted Acorn Squash with Brown Butter, Hazelnuts, and Rosemary

1/4 cup [30 g] roughly chopped hazelnuts
4 Tbsp [55 g] unsalted butter
1 acorn squash, halved and seeded
1/4 cup [60 ml] water
1 Tbsp dark brown sugar
Kosher salt
1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1/2 cup [120 ml] Vegetable Stock (page 222)
1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice
Freshly ground black pepper

In a small, dry frying pan over medium heat, toast the hazelnuts until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Set aside and let cool.

Preheat the oven to 425°F [220°C].

In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt and cook the butter, skimming the solids from the surface until the butter is clear. Turn the heat to low, and cook until the butter develops a nutty aroma and turns from yellow to a deep brown. Remove from the heat and let cool. (Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.)

Put the squash halves in a large roasting pan, cut-side down. Add the water to the pan, cover with aluminum foil, and roast for 25 minutes. Remove the foil, and continue roasting until the squash is lightly browned, about 10 minutes longer. Cut the squash halves into bite-size pieces and transfer to a serving platter.

In a small sauté pan over medium-high heat, warm the brown butter. Add the toasted hazelnuts and brown sugar and season with salt. Stir in the rosemary and cook until the rosemary becomes fragrant and the sugar has dissolved into the butter, about 3 minutes. Add the stock, a little bit at a time, and continue to cook until you have an emulsified, slightly thickened pan sauce. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice.

Pour the brown butter sauce over the squash and season with pepper. Serve warm.

Roasted Carrots with Spiced Yogurt

2 lb [910 g] Thumbelina or other small carrots, cut into 11/2-in [4-cm] lengths
6 Tbsp [90 ml] extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
1/2 cup [120 ml] fresh orange juice
1 Tbsp sesame seeds
1/4 cup [60 ml] dry white wine
1/4 cup [60 ml] Chicken Stock
1/4 cup [60 ml] Spiced Yogurt (see related recipe)
1/2 cup [15 g] fresh cilantro leaves

In a medium bowl, combine the carrots with 3 Tbsp of the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Add the thyme leaves and 2 Tbsp of the orange juice. Let stand at room temperature.

In a small, dry frying pan over medium heat, toast the sesame seeds until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Set aside and let cool.

Preheat the oven to 450°F [230°C].

In a roasting pan or a sauté pan large enough to hold the carrots in a single layer, heat the remaining 3 Tbsp olive oil over high heat. Add the carrots and cook until they begin to brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the pan to the oven and cook until the carrots caramelize around the edges but are still a bit firm, 5 to 7 minutes.

Return the pan to the stove top over medium heat, and add the wine, remaining 6 Tbsp [90 ml] orange juice, and the stock. Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan, until the liquids thicken and begin to coat the carrots, 2 to 3 minutes longer. Season with salt and pepper.

Transfer to a serving platter. Drizzle the spiced yogurt on top, sprinkle with the toasted sesame seeds, and garnish with the cilantro. Serve warm.

Sweet Potatoes with Honey, Esplette, and Lime Yogurt

1/2 cup [120 ml] Greek-style yogurt
Juice of 2 limes
3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 medium to large yams
2 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp espelette pepper or crushed red pepper flakes
Flaky sea salt
2 green onions (white and green parts), sliced thinly on the bias

Preheat the oven to 425°F [220°C].

In a small bowl, combine the yogurt with the lime juice and 1 Tbsp of the olive oil. Season with sea salt and pepper. Set aside.

Cut the yams lengthwise into eight wedges (about 1 in [2.5 cm] in diameter). In a medium bowl, toss the yams with the honey, 1/2 Tbsp of the espelette pepper, and the remaining olive oil. Season with sea salt and pepper. Marinate for 10 minutes, tossing once or twice to coat.

Transfer the yams to a rimmed baking sheet and roast until they are nicely caramelized around the edges and soft when pierced with a knife at the thickest part, 25 to 35 minutes.

Transfer to a serving platter, drizzle yogurt over all, and garnish with the green onions and remaining espelette pepper. Season with flaky salt. Serve warm

Roasted Beets with Avocado, Citrus, and Hazelnuts

11/2 lb [680 g] red baby beets,
1 to 2 in [2.5 to 5 cm] in diameter
4 Tbsp [60 ml] extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp water
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp plus 1 tsp sherry vinegar
1 Tbsp fresh orange juice, plus 2 oranges
2 Tbsp hazelnuts
1 ripe avocado, cut in 1/4-in- [6-mm-] thick slices
Flaky sea salt
Best-quality olive oil for drizzling

Preheat the oven to 400°F [200°C].

In a roasting pan, toss the beets with 2 Tbsp of the extra-virgin olive oil and the water and season with kosher salt and pepper. Roast until the beets look caramelized and feel tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, about 25 minutes. When cool enough to handle, slip the skins off the beets and cut into quarters.

In a medium bowl, toss the beets with the remaining 2 Tbsp olive oil, the sherry vinegar, and orange juice. Season with kosher salt and pepper and let stand until the beets have absorbed the flavors of the dressing, about 30 minutes.

In a small, dry frying pan over medium heat, toast the hazelnuts until fragrant, 3 to 5 minutes. Lay out on a work surface and let cool. With the bottom of a heavy pan, crush the nuts.

Section one of the oranges by cutting off both ends. Set it on one end, and use a paring knife to cut away the peel and pith in strips, starting at the top and following the curves to the bottom. Then, holding the orange in one hand, carefully insert the blade of the knife between the flesh and the membrane to cut out the sections without any membrane attached. The sections should come out easily. Repeat with the remaining orange, and set aside.

Arrange the beets on a serving platter with the avocado slices, and sprinkle them with sea salt and pepper. Distribute the orange sections throughout the salad and sprinkle with the crushed toasted hazelnuts. Finish with a drizzle of best-quality olive oil. Serve immediately

Roasted Cauliflower with Garlic, Parsley, and Vinegar

1 head cauliflower, trimmed and chopped into large florets
1/3 cup [75 ml] extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3 cloves Garlic Confit (page 64)
2 Tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar

Preheat the oven to 500°F [260°C].

In a medium bowl, toss the cauliflower with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

Heat a large cast-iron frying pan over high heat. Dump the cauliflower into the hot pan and cook until starting to brown, about 3 minutes. Transfer the pan to the oven and roast the cauliflower, undisturbed, until well seared, about 5 minutes longer. With a spatula, turn the cauliflower and cook on the other side until well seared, about 3 minutes longer.

Remove from the oven, add the garlic confit, parsley, red pepper flakes, and vinegar and stir to distribute the seasonings and toast the garlic slightly. Season with salt and pepper.

Transfer to a serving platter. Serve warm or at room temperature.

This also works with broccoli or romesco.

Roasted Romesco with Tahini and Sumac

1/4 cup [85 g] tahini
Juice of 2 lemons
1 garlic clove, minced
2 Tbsp cold water
2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for cooking
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 medium heads romanesco, trimmed and chopped into 1-in [2.5 cm] florets
1/4 cup [45 g] golden raisins
2 Tbsp Vegetable Stock (page 222) or water
1 Tbsp ground sumac
Flaky sea salt
Best-quality olive oil for drizzling

In a small bowl, combine the tahini with the lemon juice, garlic, and cold water. Whisk in the extra-virgin olive oil. The sauce should be thin enough to drizzle with a spoon. (If it is too thick, add in more cold water, 1 Tbsp at a time.) Season with kosher salt and pepper.

Heat a large frying pan over high heat. Add enough extra-virgin olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan, and warm until hot but not smoking. Add the romanesco, cut-side down, and cook until deep golden brown in color, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir with tongs or a wooden spoon and cook for 2 to 3 minutes longer.

Turn the heat to medium and add the raisins. Season with kosher salt and cook, stirring, until the raisins soften, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the stock and allow the ingredients to steam briefly. Taste a piece of romanesco for seasoning and doneness; it should be tender.

Transfer to a serving platter, drizzle the tahini sauce on top, sprinkle with sumac, and garnish with sea salt and a drizzle of best-quality olive oil. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Roasted Squash Ideas

Raid the Spice Cabinet
Olive oil, salt, and pepper is standard, but try adding a little brown sugar or maple syrup for sweetness and extra caramelization. Or use warming ground spices like coriander, cumin, fennel seeds, sumac, curry spice, chile powder, smoked paprika, or garam masala.

Toss squash in spicy chile paste like gochujang, which will both help the squash caramelize and add a punch of heat. Coconut oil is a good alternative oil that holds up to high heat and complements the sweetness of warm spices. Roast at 425° for 30 minutes, straight on the sheet pan so it can get caramelized.

Start with a Creamy Base
Doctor up tangy yogurt into a sauce with microplaned garlic, lemon juice, and salt. This gives you something to drag squash through and add flavor, cools down your palate if you use a lot of spice, and adds a nice sour note. Even though buttermilk is thin, it still works as another sour base when mixed with chopped herbs and garlic. An even better option is to mix the two ideas for a tangy ranch dressing.

Drizzle On Extra Flavor
Squash is lean, so it needs a little extra fat. Make a drizzle of flavored oil like mustard seeds cracked open in olive oil, chile flakes, or coriander, cumin, or fennel seeds. You can keep the seeds whole or smash a little before letting them sizzle over medium heat for 30 to 45 seconds. They should be lightly brown, but not burnt. If you want to go fresh, a bunch of chopped herbs in oil (like chimichurri) or thinned-out pesto also make good drizzles. For a little extra decadence, you could do this in brown butter instead of oil, or drizzle on some hot honey.

Add crunch
Have a favorite nut or seed? Try it! Pepitas make sense because you’re using squash already, but you can also try toasted hazelnuts, pecans, walnuts, sesame seeds, pine nuts, almonds, or peanuts.

Other crunch-factor additions: crushed pita chips, herby breadcrumbs, toasted grains like quinoa or groat, or pomegranate seeds.

You can toast nuts at the same time as you roast squash: put them on a separate sheet pan on a rack underneath the squash for about five minutes. With pepitas, let them only go for a minute in the oven or on the stovetop (in the same pan you sizzle your spices in oil!) because they cook faster. Texture makes all the difference, and now you have something creamy, tender-crispy squash, and crunchy topping.

Try these combos
Salt + pepper + olive oil on simply roasted squash. Grate garlic into mascarpone or crème fraîche. Add toasted pine nuts + grated Parm + hot honey on top for an Italian-ish squash dish.

Salt + about 1 tsp. curry powder + coconut oil on squash. Roast, then serve atop buttermilk with black pepper + ground cumin + salt. Sprinkle on cashews toasted with Indian spices and a squeeze of lime.

Chile powder + sumac + olive oil. Roast, then serve atop yogurt sauce (garlic + lemon). Drizzle on mustard seeds toasted in olive oil + pepitas + lemon juice.

Smoked paprika + salt + olive oil on squash. Roast, then serve atop yogurt + maple syrup + hot paprika or cayenne (sweet and tangy!). Sizzle sage, rosemary, or thyme in olive oil for drizzle, then sprinkle with toasted hazelnuts. This one is kind of like the flavor profile of sweet potatoes with marshmallows, and you could add a little more maple syrup at the end if you want.

Make gochujang-sesame roasted squash. Serve over thinly-sliced Asian or D’Anjou pear, which will be cooling, crunchy, and sweet to balance out the chile paste’s spice. If you’re not into pears, doctor up yogurt with miso or make a miso dressing and use that as a base. Add sesame seeds, cilantro, and toasted sesame oil on top.

Whole Roasted Cauliflower Salad

1 large head of cauliflower, stem trimmed
1/2 small onion, coarsely chopped
5 garlic cloves, smashed
1/4 cup basil leaves
3/4 teaspoon Madras curry powder
Pinch of cayenne pepper
1/4 ounce Parmesan, finely grated (about 1/4 cup), plus 3 ounces cut into 1/4-inch cubes
1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1/4 cup parsley leaves with tender stems, plus more for serving
2 tablespoons mint leaves, plus more for serving
4 tablespoons (or more) fresh lemon juice, divided
3/4 teaspoon sugar, plus more
Kosher salt
1/4 cup golden raisins
8 ounces sheep’s-milk feta in brine
1/2 cup chopped salted, roasted almonds
4 scallions, thinly sliced, divided
1/2 cup cilantro leaves with tender stems, divided

Preheat oven to 425°. Place cauliflower on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet.

Blend onion, garlic, basil, curry powder, cayenne, grated Parmesan, 1/4 cup oil, 1/4 cup parsley, 2 Tbsp. mint, 1 Tbsp. lemon juice, and 3/4 tsp. sugar in a blender until smooth. Slather onion purée over cauliflower so it covers the entire surface in a thick layer; season generously with salt.

Roast cauliflower until florets are tender and browned but stem is still firm and crunchy, 40–45 minutes. To test for doneness, stick a skewer into the center of head—it should encounter some resistance at the core. Let cool.

Meanwhile, toss raisins, 3 Tbsp. lemon juice, and a pinch each of salt and sugar in a small bowl. Let sit until raisins rehydrate and are plump, 10–15 minutes.

Process feta in a food processor in long pulses, thinning with brine as needed, until feta is smooth and the consistency of Greek yogurt.

Transfer cauliflower to a cutting board and cut into 1/2 pieces. Transfer to a large bowl and add almonds, cubed Parmesan, and raisins with their soaking liquid.

Drizzle with oil, season with salt, and toss to combine. Taste and season with more salt and lemon juice, if needed. Fold in half of scallions and half of cilantro.

Spread feta across bottom of a large platter and mound cauliflower mixture over. Top with remaining scallions, remaining cilantro, and more parsley and mint. Drizzle with a little more oil.

Parmesan-Roasted Cauliflower

1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
1 medium onion, sliced
4 sprigs thyme
4 garlic cloves, unpeeled
3 tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Preheat oven to 425°. Toss cauliflower florets on a large rimmed baking sheet with onion, thyme, garlic, and oil; season with salt and pepper. Roast, tossing occasionally, until almost tender, 35-40 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan, toss to combine, and roast until cauliflower is tender, 10–12 minutes longer.

Roasted Carrots with Cumin Yogurt

3 pounds Thumbelina or other small carrots, scrubbed, cut into 2” pieces
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
2 bay leaves
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp. olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/4 cup cilantro leaves with tender stems, plus more for serving
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Preheat oven to 450°. Toss carrots, orange juice, thyme, bay leaves, and ¼ cup oil on a rimmed baking sheet; season with salt and pepper. Roast, tossing halfway through, until golden brown and soft, 30–35 minutes; remove bay leaves.

Meanwhile, toast coriander in a small dry skillet over medium-high heat, tossing, until fragrant, about 1 minute; transfer to a plate. Repeat with cumin. Let cool; coarsely chop.

Purée coriander, cumin, yogurt, lime juice, 1/4 cup cilantro, and remaining 2 Tbsp. oil in a food processor until smooth; season with salt and pepper.
Serve carrots topped with cumin yogurt, cilantro, and sesame seeds.

Roasted Butternut Squash with Herb Oil and Goat Cheese

1 large butternut squash or other large winter squash (about 4 pounds), scrubbed
1 garlic clove, finely grated
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
1 tablespoon finely chopped marjoram or oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons red wine vinegar, divided
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
3 ounces fresh goat cheese

Preheat oven to 425°. Place squash on a rimmed baking sheet and roast, turning once, until tender, 35–45 minutes. Let cool slightly.

Meanwhile, whisk garlic, oil, parsley, marjoram, and 1/2 tsp. vinegar in a small bowl to combine; season herb oil with salt and pepper.

Halve squash lengthwise and scrape out seeds. Using a large metal spoon, scoop out large pieces of flesh and place in a large bowl; discard skin. Add remaining 1 tsp. vinegar and gently toss to coat; season with salt and pepper.
Transfer squash to a platter and drizzle with herb oil. Crumble goat cheese over.

Do Ahead: Herb oil can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.