One thing I admire about French (and American) chefs: They have no qualms taking specialties from around the world and modifying them with the utmost confidence; now I don’t know who came up with the idea of a savory crumble but I see it on French cooking sites a lot.
This is inspired by one such crumble made with pumpkin, cream and lardons (bacon bits) and topped with a crumble of flour, butter and hazelnuts.
Except my version has some Middle-Eastern touches.
One advantage of this crumble is that it can be prepared in advance and baked 30 minutes before dinnertime.
Another advantage is that the vegetables can be varied ad infinitum as well as the spices and nuts used in the topping.
INGREDIENTS: 8 servings
- 1 Kabocha squash (or a small pumpkin or a can of pumpkin)
- 4 Baking potatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds or 675 g.)
- 1/2 pound of bacon, cut into small pieces
- For the mashed potato: 1/2 cup of melted butter noisette (melt the butter until browned bits show up at the bottom of the pan with a distinct nutty and delicious fragrance)
- 1/2 cup of cream or half-and-half (or half cream, half milk)
- salt, black pepper, sumac (to sprinkle on the potatoes, it gives a slight lemony taste and cuts down the richness), a pinch of nutmeg and 3 tablespoons of chopped parsley
- For the crumble: 3/4 cup of flour (white or whole wheat), 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter, 3 tablespoons of polenta, 4 tablespoons of dukkah (can substitute roasted chopped nuts of your choice), salt to taste.
METHOD:
- Boil the potatoes until cooked; cut the squash in half and bake in the oven until soft (remove the fibrous interior first) . Peel and mash the potatoes, adding salt, sumac, and several tablespoons of melted butter. Keep the texture coarse. Set aside.
- Peel and cut the squash in small chunks, place in a pot and add 1/4 cup of water and 1/4 cup (up to 1/2 cup) of cream; bring to a simmer and simmer for 5 minutes; remove from the heat and mash the squash, adding salt, and a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg. Set aside.
- Fry the bacon bits and drain on a paper towel-lined sieve.
- Grease the ramequins or a pyrex pie plate with some melted butter; spread the first layer with potatoes; sprinkle the top with the bacon bits and a few tablespoons of chopped parsley. Cover the layer of bacon and parsley with the creamed squash, spreading it all over the pan or ramequins. Set aside.
- To make the crumble, either use a mini food-processor or a fork or the tip of your fingers. Place the flour, butter (cut up in small pieces), polenta and dukkah in a bowl and rub it in until the texture is like sand. Spread the mixture over the pan or ramequins and when ready to serve, bake in a 350F oven for about 30 minutes; you can run it under the broiler for one minute at the end to give it a nice golden color. Serve warm.
For the dukkah recipe, click here.
32 Comments
Why shouldn’t a crumble be savory, instead of sweet? It makes perfect sense to me, and I would crave this recipe over a blueberry crumble any day.
Bonjour Joumana, quelle belle…bouteille !!! Et sans être ” de vin ” aucun doute sur les trésors de saveurs qui se cachaient sous cette belle croûte, croustillante et dorée. Ta citrouille à toi est vraie…bisous et passe une super journée
I love that you call this a crumble!
Looks scrumptious delicious!
Very nice savory crumble recipe. Thanks for sharing.
This is such a delicious looking dish. I would be thrilled to have this for any meal! I love squash, and with the sumac and dukkah: amazing and so creative. Thank you.
I love the whole notion of a savory crumble. Plus, I also can never resist anything with kabocha in it. My fave squash!
This crumble looks so tasty. I love everything about it!
Comfort food at it’s best. I adore savory crumbles!
Very inviting savory crumble,yumm!
A savory crumble…now that is an original, really good idea. Thank you
A savory crumble! I’m so in. It sounds like it’s filled with a great mix of ingredients!
Just when I thought I had seen anything, something so obvious has been sitting there unnoticed by my radar. Thanks so much … definitely a keeper.
I’m actively trying to eat more potatoes. This looks great! I *hated* potatoes as a kid and as a result, I’ve avoided them into adulthood. But, I’ve had good potato dishes in restaurants so I’m trying to find was to eat them that I like. This looks really tasty because it has other things in it besides just potato.
hmm…a savory crumble..now that’s innovative..looks yummy!
Excellent course for a dinner party, being able to prepare it earlier and leave you time to relax with your guests. Extra points for bacon too
I like the idea of a savory crumble. Food mustn’t have barriers. Inspiration is the guide!
I love any dish that has bacon it it, this sounds fantastic. I have made a note of this. Thanks Diane
Never tired this before and I am going to try this soon.
a savory crumble, oh a perfect idea, I would love this for dinner…and a glass of wine, lol
have a great week
sweetlife
Isn’t this just a brilliant looking thing…YUM! – S
Oooh! I like the idea of savory crumble.
love the idea of a savory crumble!It sounds delicious and looks so good!
wow ! lovely dishes and a really good presentation
will definitely try this out
I have a blog too http://kitchensojourn.blogpot.com .I would be really happy if you follow it !
Oh! I love kabocha, and what a lovely combination with potatoes, bacon and all the yummie spices…looks delicious!
oh I am loving this idea- who wouldn’t love eating out of that adorable dish?!
The sumac on the squash and potatoes sounds lovely as does the dukkah in the topping. Great additions to the dish!
I do love a savory crumble. I prticularly am enamoured with how rich this vegetable dish is as we will have winter for quite a few weeks yet. It nourishes and warms and I found sumac!
Wow, I really like this dish Joumana. Great combination of tastes here.
I am loving the idea of this savory crumble & I must try something like it. A complete meal in that ramekin. xo
You seem to have no trouble adapting recipes and creating something delicious and unique! And always that Middle Eastern touch which I love. I love savory crumbles but never make them but this one I must try. Wonderful ingredients and YAY just bought dukkah!
I love the idea of a savory crumble…fantastic
a savory crumble? i love it! the innards of this particular creation are completely appealing–well done, joumana.