| 1 | If blue hubbard squash is not around your neighborhood, look for tahitian squash, kabocha, buttercup, or any of the very sweet and flavorful winter squashes. |
| 2 | To cook any winter squash into a puree, seed and peel it and cut the flesh into pieces. |
| 3 | Simmer the squash in a heavy-bottomed pot with about 1 inch of water and a little salt, tightly covered, until it is falling apart. |
| 4 | Lift the lid and give it a stir now and then, adding a little water if necessary. |
| 5 | When the squash is completely tender, remove the lid, raise th heat, and stir constantly as you cook away all the excess moisture. |
| 6 | Then mash the pulp with a potato masher or puree it in a food processor. |
| 7 | The finished puree should have the consistency of a thick applesauce. |
| 8 | Another method is to roast squash in the oven. |
| 9 | heat the milk in a medium-sized saucepan and whisk in the semoline, cornmeal, and 2 teaspoons of butter. |
| 10 | Continue stirring with a whisk or a wooden spoon until the mixture thickens, then remove it from the heat, let it cool for about 5 minutes, and whisk in the beaten eggs a little at a time. |
| 11 | stir in the squash puree, the molasses, ?teaspoon of salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. |
| 12 | Whisk all this together or process it in a blender for a few seconds--the mixture should be silky smooth, with no lumps. |
| 13 | Taste, and add more salt if needed. |
| 14 | peel and quarter the onion and slice it rather thickly. |
| 15 | Saute the onion in a tablespoon of butter with the ginger and a dash of salt until it begins to color. |
| 16 | Lower the heat and keep cooking the onion until it is an even caramel color. |
| 17 | stir the walnut pieces and the crumbled cheese gently into the squash mixture; the cheese should not get too mushy and blend into the custard, but rather should stay in distinct lumps. |
| 18 | Pour the mixture into a large, shallow buttered baking dish, and scatter the sauteed onions over the top. |
| 19 | Put the flan into a pre-heated 400 degree oven; after 10 minutes, lower the heat to 350 degrees and bake for 40-45 minutes more. |
| 20 | serve the flan hot or warm, with some chipotle sauce on the side. |
