Timeless Rice: A Butternut Squash Risotto Recipe

The bus makes a sharp right-hand turn into a rather non-descript parking lot. We tumble out onto a scenic spot next to a small river. In the river there are three men in blue latex overalls using scythes to cut the river grass. We turn our eyes to the structure before us and the men on the tour simultaneously gasp. Before us, encased in a sleeping beauty like glass structure, lies a 1950s type 40 Bugatti. It is covered in rice dust.
We have brought our students from our cooking school in Italy to see the Gazzani rice mill. It has been in continuous operation since 1648 and still uses the mortar and pestle method that is found in only one other place in Italy. The owner, Marco Soave, comes out to greet us and quickly takes us through the modern method of rice milling that dates from the post WWII era and uses 14 machines. We climb through a rickety wall opening and see what looks like an ancient water wheel that still powers the entire factory.

After our modern tour we enter the original part of the factory. Stretched out before us are 8 applewood pestles that have never broken or needed repair. They slam into a bank of mortars made of the finest Rosso di Verona marble. Stone that back home we would only use for the most expensive counter tops. The mortars are also covered in rice dust, but they too have never needed replacing. The operation runs by a system of wheels and pulleys that are all attached to the ancient water wheel by a camel skin belt.

Marco stops one of the pestles. There are only four that are used at any given time. He scoops up a handful of rice to show us how the hull has been removed. He then detaches a large round sieve from the ceiling that looks like an overgrown embroidery hoop, and pours the rice into the center. He slowly moves the hoop in a circular fashion, twisting it faster and faster as the dust falls to the floor. He says he repeats the process three times before the rice is completely cleaned.

What takes 14 separate steps using the modern machines is accomplished over four hours in one step using the mortar and pestle. However, the more modern method takes only 20 minutes and the rice is polished to a shine. Everyone on our bus bought the rice made with pestles, and later commented on its rich nutty flavor.

From Every Night Italian, by Giuliano Hazan, Scribner, 2000

RISOTTO AL PROFUMO DI ZUCCA

Butternut Squash Risotto

One of the many glorious dishes available in Venice is a risotto made with a local pumpkin called zucca barucca. Its aroma is rich and sweet and its deep golden color resembles the changing leaves in the countryside. In the US I have found that butternut squash most closely resembles the flavor of this pumpkin. Risotto is very easy to make. Its most trying requirement is having to stir it constantly for the 20 minutes it takes to cook and you can enlist the assistance of guests or family members to share stirring duty.

Total time from start to finish: about 45 minutes

serves 4 to 6 people

1/2 cup yellow onion, finely chopped

3 tablespoons butter

1 pound butternut squash (about 3 cups diced)

salt

freshly ground black pepper

1 1/2 cups Italian rice for risotto such as Arborio or Carnaroli

5 cups homemade meat broth, or 1 beef bouillon cube dissolved in 5 cups water

2 tablespoons Italian flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped

1/2 cup parmigiano-reggiano, freshly grated

1. Put the onion and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large heavy bottomed pot over medium low heat. Saute the onion until it turns to a rich golden color.

2. While the onion is sauteing, remove the rind and the seeds from the squash, then cut it into 3/4 inch cubes. When the onion is ready, add the squash to the pan with about 1/2 cup of water. Season with salt and pepper and cook until the squash is tender, about 10-15 minutes.

3. While the squash is cooking, heat the broth in a sauce pot and keep it at a very low simmer.

4. When the squash is tender and all the water has evaporated, add the rice and stir until it is well coated. Add a couple of ladlefuls of the heated broth and stir with a wooden spoon. Continue stirring and adding broth to the rice as the liquid in the pot evaporates. The right amount of broth to add is just enough to produce the consistency of a rather thick soup and it is important to wait until all the liquid has evaporated before adding more broth. The rice will be done in about 20 minutes, when it is firm to the bite but not still crunchy or chalky in the center. At the end the risotto should have a creamy, almost "wavy" consistency.

5. Remove from the heat and stir in the chopped parsley, the grated parmigiano and the remaining tablespoon of butter. Taste for salt and serve at once.

Read more of Lael Hazan's work at: The Educated Palate: Lael and Giuliano Hazan's Blog

 

 

 

Follow Lael Hazan on Twitter: www.twitter.com/educatedpalate

Comments

[wm1066]

02:05 PM on 02/10/2011

Thanks for telling us how this rice is polished,and the recipe sounds great, but I cant' do the parmesan cheese ( for some reason it gives me panic attacks), but I will try it sans parmegianno.

[Jamie Schler]

08:00 AM on 02/10/2011

We may eat rice every day but how often do we think of how it is "made" or processed? Living in Milan and taking weekend drives outside of the city we often passed beautiful, richly green and luxurious rice marshes - it always surprised us that rice was harvested so close to home. But I never thought of what it went through to get to our table. The old factory sounds fascinating! And I have wanted to try this recipe for quite some time and now I am inspired! Wonderful article and recipe, Lael!

[hp blogger Lael Hazan]

08:46 AM on 02/10/2011

Thank you! Every time we go to the factory I learn something new. I find it amazing that they are still using the same machinery from 1648! The wood, applewood, is hard and it lasts.