Ingredients

• Salt
• 1 medium butternut squash, or 1 small cooking/sugar pumpkin, peeled and cut into bite-size pieces
• Olive oil cooking spray
• Freshly ground pepper
• Freshly grated nutmeg
• A pinch of saffron threads
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1 pound of white/green cabbage, cut into fat julienne
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 18 to 20 fresh sage leaves
• 1 pound penne
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus some for topping

Instructions

1. Watch how to make this recipe.
2. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
3. Arrange the squash on a baking sheet and spray with the cooking spray to lightly coat; season with salt, pepper and a little nutmeg. Roast to tender and brown at the edges.
4. Place the saffron in the chicken stock in a medium pot and add the cabbage. Bring to a low boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook the cabbage to very tender, about 20 minutes.
5. Melt the butter in small pan over medium heat, add the sage and fry the leaves to crisp. Remove to a towel, and then crumble the leaves. Lightly brown the butter.
6. Boil the pasta in salted water to al dente, reserve 1/2 cup starchy water, then drain. Toss the pasta with the starchy water, squash, cabbage and stock, browned butter, crumbled sage and cheese. Toss for 2 minutes to absorb the sauce, then place in casserole and cool. Store for a make-ahead meal.
7. To reheat, bake at 375 degrees F, loosely covered with foil. Then top with a little cheese, and broil to crisp up the edges.