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Lasagna with Butternut Squash and Hazelnuts

6/9/2015

33 Comments

 
Butternut Squash and hazelnut lasagna

Lasagne with Butternut Squash and Hazelnuts 

This vegetarian lasagna is a dish with an incredible combination of flavors. 

When I first came to this country many years ago, I left a family, a home, a scholarship, and many friends behind in Germany. There were times when I just wanted to go home and I knew it I could because of my grandfather. My grandfather was a wonderful man who I loved dearly. Two world wars had taken his only son, his wife and several of his brothers. His gentle soul poured all the love he had into me when I was born. We all lived together in one large farmhouse. As a baby, he carried me when he thought I was not comfortable. As I grew up, he took me everywhere, holding my hand. I have a picture of the two of us all dressed up going to a garden show. There is this giant of a man in riding boots and little me holding his hand and smiling. He never learned to drive a car, but he took his horse and carriage to the neighboring town to deliver eggs to his customers. I came along whenever I could. These were old-fashioned grocery stores and some private customers. 
I remember getting the best dill pickles or candy from his customers. He was an extremely proud man: when he said something, it meant something. Many evenings I went to a woman who sold beer and beverages in our village and got him one bottle of beer. Yes, kids in Germany were allowed to carry alcohol. That same woman also had a machine to seal cans of cooked meat and vegetables. The only time he got mad at me was when he saw me in a very short mini-dress. He didn’t like that at all. I can just imagine how sad he was when I immigrated to the United States. He went to a travel agent and asked her how much a return ticket from the States to Germany would cost. He gave me enough money to return to Germany if I had to. He gave me some other money too, but this amount he said I should always keep in case I wanted to come home. And my grandfather did not have a lot of money. So, I kept that money for a long time, and when I was really homesick, I knew I could go home whenever I wanted to.

Behrensen in Germnay
The backyard of our farm in Germany
Hazelnut Butternut Squash Lasagna
Recently, I had a wonderful visit from my niece and her boyfriend and both of them got to choose their favorite food. My niece chose butternut squash lasagna and her boyfriend picked meatloaf. We had such a good time together, and I hated to see them go. We remembered stories from my mother, how she encouraged my niece, who was her granddaughter. I made this lasagna several times for parties (and my vegetarian friends) and it always gets rave reviews. The recipe is from an old issue of Gourmet Magazine.

Preview recipe
33 Comments
Penny link
6/9/2015 02:53:21 am

What a loving and tender story of your childhood and your grandfather, Gerlinde. It brought a tear to my eye and warmed my soul. Thank you for sharing it - and, of course, for this recipe. Oh my . . . I must try it soon.

Reply
Gerlinde
6/9/2015 12:19:07 pm

I hope I can make you laugh the next time like you did when I read your blog just now.

Reply
Deb|EastofEdenCooking link
6/9/2015 05:53:04 am

Your story sparkles with fabulous with memories. For me, this is the only way to remember those who are gone, but alive in our thoughts. A compelling post rich with thought and filled with seductive lasagna.

Reply
Gerlinde
6/9/2015 12:24:14 pm

I never thought that I would write down my memories let alone share them with everyone. Thanks for your kind comment Deb and sharing me with your daughter yesterday.

Reply
Kay link
6/9/2015 06:22:48 am

How lovely to hear these memories of your childhood and grandfather. I just LOVE butternut squash and this lasagna sounds wonderful.

Reply
Gerlinde
6/9/2015 12:26:12 pm

Thank you Kay, the lasagna is very good and I have made it many times.

Reply
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert link
6/10/2015 02:32:55 am

That was a moving account of your relationship with your grandfather. We all seem to forget how easy life is for many of us. You could write a book about these things - it is fascinating. I also love this recipe. I would never dream to put nuts in a vegetarian lasagna - it is brilliant!

Reply
Gerlinde
6/10/2015 12:51:02 pm

Thank you Tricia for stopping by. I have so many memories that I never put into words, but I'm slowly starting.
The nuts in the lasagna are delicious, I hope you get to try the recipe.

Reply
Mary Ann | the beach house kitchen link
6/10/2015 12:58:40 pm

Gerlinde I love the story about your grandfather. I love when bloggers share wonderful stories like yours with their readers. I think it is a great way to connect so your readers can learn a little bit about you and not only about cooking! I love this lasagna. I am always looking to try different lasagna recipes and this one sounds delicious!

Reply
Gerlinde
6/10/2015 03:36:39 pm

Thank you Mary Ann, I don't know why I find myself sharing family stories. I never did before. My mom and I always talked about the family and was has happened. Now she is gone and maybe that's why I started to write.

Reply
Bam's Kitchen link
6/10/2015 10:56:13 pm

A very heartfelt post about your grandfather and your memories. I know it is very hard living away from family. I have never had a vegetarian lasagna with hazelnuts that sounds so good! Wishing you a super week.

Reply
Gerlinde
6/11/2015 02:38:52 am

Thanks Bam, I really appreciate all the feedback I get in the comments on my blog. Yes, living that far away from your family is hard, but they are so many other benefits. Life is just that way, have a great weekend.

Reply
Kennedy Cole@ KCole's Creative Corner
6/11/2015 01:08:14 am

This is so creative! I love it! We have grown an abundance of squash in our garden, and I think this will be the perfect recipe to help us use up all of that squash! And I love toasted nuts of any kind, which makes this all the more perfect!
I recently made a cooking and baking blog, too.
http://kcolescreativecorner.com
I would greatly appreciate it if you would check it out!
Thanks so much!

Reply
Gerlinde
6/11/2015 02:27:25 am

Hi Kennedy, I like your blog and I'm glad we found each other in cyber space. I have always used butternut squash , some other squash may be too watery for this lasagna.

Reply
Kennedy Cole@ KCole's Creative Corner link
6/11/2015 10:43:38 pm

Thanks so much; it really means a lot to me. Yes, I was planning on using butternut squash for this. It seems like the best choice.
I'll continue to stay in touch with this blog!
Best wishes,
Kennedy Cole

Reply
Gerlinde
6/12/2015 06:42:59 am

Thank you, let's stay in touch!

EllaDee link
6/11/2015 06:24:59 am

What a beautiful memory of your grandfather. What great gifts he gave you, in so many ways, so true and strong the feeling continues to be. I love the connection between food and family, both the past and the present creating food memories with your niece as well.
The G.O. and I love butternut and lasagna.

Reply
Gerlinde
6/12/2015 06:50:45 am

Now that I have some time to reflect I often think about the past. You are so right, there is a huge connection between food and family. I remember all the conversations we had and have around the dinner table.
Thanks Ella Dee , have a relaxing weekend.

Reply
TheKitchenLioness
6/12/2015 04:11:28 pm

Dear Gerlinde, a wonderful post filled with incredible memories - you certainly described your grand-father so well, with such love and affection...and I happen to know this lasagna recipe from Gourmet Magazine - it is absolutely fabulous!
Euch ein schönes Wochenende und liebe Grüße,
Andrea

Reply
Gerlinde
6/13/2015 05:28:30 am

Dear Andrea,
I think I pulled this recipe out of a 2001 edition of Gourmet. I cooked it numerous times and have adjusted the recipe to my liking. I have used fresh pasta, no boil lasagna, and regular lasagna.
Auch Dir wünsche ich ein erholsames Wochenende.
Gerlinde

Reply
Maureen link
6/13/2015 02:27:18 pm

What beautiful memories of your grandfather. Leaving Germany must have been very difficult and there would have been times you thought about spending that money on a ticket back.

I think this lasagna sounds fantastic! I'd like some now.

Reply
Gerlinde
6/16/2015 01:28:53 am

There were times when I wanted to go back but I learned to appreciate and love my new home. It isn't until recently that memories of my childhood in Germany came back.
I would love to share some of that lasagna with you.

Reply
https://dentistvschef.wordpress.com/ link
6/15/2015 01:29:47 am

Delicious!!!
just perfect for my meatless monday...

Reply
Purea
6/15/2015 01:58:41 pm

Not sure what I like best ... your lasagna or the story about your grandfather ! Good thing i don't have to choose and can enjoy both !
Thanks for sharing with us - it makes all of our lives richer :-)
So grateful for good Food and Family .
xox Purea

Reply
Gerlinde
6/16/2015 01:32:15 am

Purea, being part of your family enriches my life. Thank you!

Reply
nancy at good food matters link
6/16/2015 02:28:43 am

Hi Gerlinde, I so enjoyed reading about your grandfather, and learning more about your life in Germany. I have made a similar butternut squash lasagna, adding leeks to the white sauce, and walnuts to garnish the top. I can imagine that the hazelnuts would really bring a wonderful flavor to the dish.

Reply
Gerlinde
6/18/2015 03:43:11 am

Hi Nancy, adding leeks would be a great idea , I'll try it the next time. The hazelnuts add crunch and flavor.

Reply
sippitysup link
6/18/2015 09:24:46 am

It must be hard to pick up and change cultures, but the family connection always stays with us. GREG PS I love butternut lasagna!

Reply
Gerlinde
6/18/2015 01:06:54 pm

Thanks Greg, this lasagna is well loved. It is interesting and educational to live in two different cultures.

Reply
Jenny link
6/21/2015 08:26:53 am

What a beautiful story and tribute to your grandfather. I love all the little details woven into your post. That lasagna looks so good! I have always wanted to make a butternut version. Hazelnuts sound like a really nice complement to the dish!

Reply
Gerlinde
6/21/2015 10:42:59 am

Thank you Jenny, I hope you like the lasagna if you make it. It is a crowd pleaser and the hazelnuts add a nice nutty flavor,

Reply
grace link
7/7/2015 03:15:18 am

i've never slipped nuts into my lasagna, but it seems like an awesome idea--a little crunch is always welcome.
i LOVE the shot of the horse and rainbow!

Reply
Gerlinde
7/7/2015 06:24:50 am

Grace, that horse belongs to my nephews wife and the photo was taken in the back of our family farm in Germany.

Reply

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