Dishing Up the Dirt

butternut squash and sage pesto pizza with balsamic glaze

January 20, 2013

IMG_1686I’ve been hitting the bottle pretty hard these last few days. And by “bottle” I mean DayQuil.  It’s been a pretty gloomy 48 hours.

I decided that if I am going to make it through the next few days on the couch I was going to need reinforcements.  After all, there is such a thing as too much instant Netflix.

IMG_1703This is where Wil Of God comes in. I can’t put it down! My dear friend Carrie (aka Aunt Carrie) writes a blog Love. and has just written an amazing book about raising her special needs son. Carrie is hilarious and her book is both warm and heartbreaking at the same time.  And get this, her son Wil named my blog! Four years ago when Taylor and I decided we were going to become farmers he said “Andrea is just like a farmer in the dell.”  He is brilliant.

I have reluctantly put down “the bottle,” made myself a cup of tea, and plan to spend the rest of the afternoon reading Wil Of God. I am feeling better already.

IMG_1688If you are not glued to the couch due to an illness then you have NO excuse not making this pizza. You can send me thank you notes later.

This pizza is super easy to whip up. If you are less lazy than me, you can make your own balsamic glaze. However, for Christmas I got a bottle of balsamic glaze so I cheated here. Either way, don’t skip the glaze! It really makes the pizza POP!

Butternut Squash and Sage Pesto Pizza

For the pesto:

2/3 cup fresh sage leaves, torn

a small handful of toasted walnuts

a small handful of finely grated parmesan cheese

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and set aside.

For the pizza:

1 ball of pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)

1 tbs olive oil

1/2 of a red onion, finely chopped

1 medium sized butternut squash, peeled and cubed (about 1 inch sized cubes)

1/4 cup of finely grated parmesan cheese

a healthy drizzle of balsamic glaze

Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 425

Toss the butternut squash with a little olive oil salt and pepper. Place on a greased baking  sheet and roast for about 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside. Keep the oven temperature the same.

Roll out your pizza dough. Spread a healthy portion of the pesto, followed by the butternut squash, followed by the red onions. Sprinkle everything with parmesan cheese. Bake in the oven for about 10-12 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Remove from oven and drizzle the pie with balsamic glaze. Enjoy!

Photo1Off to read my book!



Leave a Reply

28 thoughts on “butternut squash and sage pesto pizza with balsamic glaze

  1. oh this pizza looks incredible! hope you feel better soon!

    1. drealieberg says:

      Thanks! this pizza really hit the spot!

  2. liz says:

    I am reading this as well. This is a must read for a lot of people for a lot of reasons: parents, educators, neighbors, health care professionals and anyone else who wants to open their eyes and perhaps hearts to the shear energy it takes to parent a special needs child. As a faithful follower of Love. I too find Carrie to be such a gifted writer.

    This pizza looks and sounds wonderful. Will be putting this on our must have list Farmer in the Dell menu in the next week or two.

    Hope you are feeling better.

  3. Now this is a pizza I can get behind! Great combos here with the sage and roasted squash. Would not have thought of it, but have to try it.

    1. drealieberg says:

      definitely give it a try Tony!

  4. Looks fantastic…as always 😉 I love the combo! I’ve been meaning to tell you, we started ordering stumptown coffee by your recommendation and love it! I’ll look for the balsamic glaze at whole foods…you’re wonderful dishes and ideas always make it to our dinner table! Hope you’re feeling better! xo

  5. Carrie Link says:

    Awwww… didn’t expect to see THIS on here! What a nice surprise!!! Thanks, Andrea! You’ve made your “aunt” proud. Guess that makes you and Wil cousins!!! Hope you enjoy the rest of the book!

    Hope you feel better very soon!

    Love,
    Aunt Carrie

  6. You’re killing me with that dog pic!! So cute! And the pizza doesn’t look too shabby either. 😉

    1. drealieberg says:

      He’s the best dog ever!!!

  7. This is such a creative and delicious looking pizza!

  8. Joanne says:

    Aww I hope you’re feeling better soon chica!! Nothing is better than curling up in bed with a good book, no matter how you’re feeling!

    This pizza sounds amazing. And is totally exactly what I’m craving.

  9. I’ve never thought of putting butternut squash on pizza before. But it looks amazing, and paired with sage has to be perfect. So sorry you’re not feeling well. Hope you feel better soon!

  10. I need to get that book! I have so much respect for those that have special needs children and share their stories to help others having the same experience. My cousin is a special needs individual so I have a personal attachment to understanding what people (especially parents) go through on a day to day basis. I’ve also been looking for something real to read (if that makes sense?). Thanks for sharing. I hope you feel better soon! My oldest just got done taking Dayquil…I’m hoping that ends with him. The pizza looks amazing too! I hope you have an incredible Monday!

    1. drealieberg says:

      This book is SO eye opening! I have so much respect for parents of special needs children. There is no harder job in the world.

  11. Korinda says:

    Yum!! Can’t wait to make this! Hope you’re feeling better : )

  12. Julia says:

    Awww! I can’t think of a better treatment than the “bottle”, a great read, a friendly pooch and delicious pizza! Definitely a great recipe for recovery!

    1. drealieberg says:

      The dog really helps!!!

  13. At first I though that was mango on your pizza (which is what I love to put on it with pineapple – ha!) The balsamic glaze is perfect and what a special book and message 🙂

  14. What a gorgeous, gourmet pizza! And love your puppy!

  15. laurengrier says:

    OH, no! I hope you feel better. I swear everyone I know is under the weather. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. This pizza looks insanely good and healthy!

    1. drealieberg says:

      dude, everyone I know is sick! this is SO annoying!!

  16. Yum!! You are making me so hungry with this pizza. Perfect veggie version just for me!

  17. This looks so good I want to cry. Just amazing! Back when my sage was still alive and kicking, I wondered about trying to make a pesto with it and now I know I can. 🙂

  18. om-noam says:

    I made this with a garlic scape and spinach pesto and I AM SO GLAD I DID. Thanks for the recipe!

  19. om-noam says:

    I made this last week with my garlic scape and spinach pesto and I AM GLAD I DID. Thanks for the recipe!!

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