Pumpkin Lasagna

Ingredients

• 28 ounce tomato sauce canned
• 1 large eggs 
• 0.3 cup basil fresh chopped
• 0.3 cup parsley fresh chopped
• 4 cloves garlic sliced
• 8 servings kosher salt and pepper freshly ground
• 16 ounce lasagna noodles 
• 1.5 tablespoons olive oil extra-virgin
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 0.5 teaspoon oregano dried
• 1 cup pumpkin puree 
• 0.5 cup red wine 
• 2.5 cups ricotta cheese 
• 0.5 cup romano cheese shredded
• 1 pound spicy sausage italian
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
• 1 large zucchini very thinly sliced

Equipment

• bowl
• oven
• pot
• sieve
• baking pan
• wooden spoon

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place the pumpkin puree in a fine sieve over a bowl; set aside to drain while you make the sauce.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat.
4. Add the onion and saute until translucent, 6 to 7 minutes.
5. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 2 more minutes.
6. Add the sausage and cook until brown, breaking it up with a wooden spoon.
7. Pour in the wine and cook until reduced by half. Stir in the tomato sauce and herbs and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Season with salt and pepper, cover and reduce the heat to low. Simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
9. Add the lasagna noodles and cook as the label directs.
10. Drain and toss with the remaining 1/2 tablespoon olive oil.
11. Mix the strained pumpkin puree with the egg in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. In a separate bowl, mix the ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella and the romano.
12. Build your lasagna in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish: Start with a layer of sauce, then top with a layer of noodles. Evenly spread half of the pumpkin filling, then half of the zucchini, over the noodles. Top with half of the cheese mixture and cover with some of the sauce. Repeat the layers, finishing with noodles and sauce; sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup mozzarella.
13. Bake, uncovered, 35 to 40 minutes, or until bubbly.
14. Let cool 15 minutes before slicing.
15. Photograph by Ngoc Minh Ngo