Acorn Squash Crostini with Crispy Bacon and Sage

Ingredients

• 1.5 pound acorn squash halved
• 0.5 pound bacon roughly chopped
• 1  crusty baguette thinly sliced
• 15 servings pepper black freshly ground
• 4 tablespoons butter 
• 15 servings kosher salt 
• 30  sage 
• 0.3 cup milk whole

Equipment

• food processor
• frying pan
• baking sheet
• oven
• knife
• baking pan
• microwave

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Place squash in parchment-lined baking pan. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in microwave and brush squash thoroughly, pouring any extra into squash cavity.
3. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
4. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the squash halves are easily pierced with knife.
5. Cool until easy to handle. Scoop out flesh and transfer to food processor.
6. Add milk and process until smooth. Taste for salt, adding more as necessary. Set aside (this can be done up to 2 days in advance).
7. Meanwhile, place bacon and sage in baking pan and toss with small drizzle of olive oil. Season lightly with some salt and pepper.
8. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until bacon has rendered all its fat, and sage is dark and crispy. Set aside.
9. Arrange bread slices on a baking sheet and brush lightly with olive oil. Toast in the oven for about 5 minutes, until crusty, but not browned.
10. In medium frying pan over medium heat, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter. When butter has melted and is slightly foamy, give it a stir. Continue cooking until light golden brown, about 1 minute longer, then immediately add squash puree and stir to combine.
11. Scoop 1 tablespoon of the warm squash mixture onto each slice of bread. Top with a piece of crispy bacon and sage, and serve.