1642. POTATO, BACON and SQUASH HASH

3 cups potatoes, peeled, cut in 1/4-inch dice
6 cups plus 2 tablespoons canola oil
3 cups calabaza pumpkin, peeled, seeded, cut in 1/4-inch dice (or use regular pumpkin for a denser consistency. Any squash will do for flavor)
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, toasted
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander, toasted
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, toasted
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup plus 4 teaspoons orange aioli (recipe follows)
orange oil (recipe follows)
1/4 cup smoked bacon, finely diced
Kosher salt, to taste
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
4 fresh chives, chopped
4 potato gaufrettes (optional)

Orange Aioli and Orange Oil
1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1 egg yolk (or substitute 2 1/2 tablespoons pasteurized egg yolks)
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 cup canola oil
1 to 2 tablespoons water

Combine potatoes and 6 cups oil in heavy saucepan. Cook over medium heat until to 170ºF. Adjust heat to maintain temperature and cook until potatoes are fork tender, 12 to 18 minutes, taking care to maintain temperature. Remove potatoes with slotted spoon. Drain on paper towels, reserving the oil. Set aside to cool.

In mixing bowl, toss pumpkin with cumin, coriander, black pepper, salt, sugar, paprika, cinnamon and remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Bake on sheet pan in preheated 350ºF oven until pumpkin is fork tender, 15 to 20 minutes; cool.

Prepare Orange Aioli: In a sauté pan over medium heat, reduce orange juice to 1/4 cup; cool. In small bowl, whisk together egg yolk, lemon juice and mustard; slowly whisk in oil. Add half the reduced orange juice. Thin with water to desired consistency.

Prepare Orange Oil: Transfer remaining reduced orange juice to a bowl and whisk in 1/2 cup reserved oil from cooking potatoes.

In sauté pan over medium heat, slowly render bacon until meaty but not crisp, about 5 minutes. Pour off some of the fat. Add potatoes and pumpkin; season to taste with salt and pepper and heat gently. Remove from heat and stir in 1/3 cup Orange Aioli.

Divide potato mixture among 4 ring molds that have been placed on serving plates. Press gently to compact then carefully remove molds. Top each with 1 teaspoon Orange Aioli; drizzle 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons Orange Oil around rings. Garnish each with chopped chives and an potato gaufrette.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Idaho Potato Commission, 661 South Rivershore Lane, Eagle, Idaho 83616, 208-334-2350