Hubbard Squash-Almond Crisp

Ingredients

• 1 4 lb. Hubbard squash
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 cup almonds, slivered and blanched
• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 10 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 pint heavy cream, chilled
• 1/2 cup Amaretti cookies, crushed

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Toast almonds and chop fine.
3. Halve the squash lengthwise and remove seeds and fiber.
4. Place squash, cut side down, in a shallow baking dish large enough to hold the squash in a single layer.
5. Pour in the water.
6. Bake, covered, for 30 minutes.
7. Remove dish from oven, turn squash over and cool.
8. Use a spoon to remove the flesh.
9. Cut into 2-inch cubes.
10. Place squash in a bowl, drizzle with brandy, and sprinkle with sugar. Set aside for 30 minutes to macerate.
11. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar and cinnamon.
12. Mix in the butter, working with your fingers until the mixture holds together and is crumbly.
13. Stir in the chopped almonds and the crushed amaretti cookies. Set aside.
14. Place squash and juice in a 12-inch round baking dish.
15. Spread the almond mixture evenly over them.
16. Bake for 1 hour or until the squash is bubbling and the topping is golden brown. To serve, scoop hot crisp into individual dessert bowls and drizzle with chilled heavy cream.