Fresh sage leaves,fried in olive oil until crisp and patted dry with a paper towel
Freshly grated parmesan
Chili flakes
Method
For the pesto:
In a small skillet, heat the oil over medium to medium-low heat. Add the sage and garlic and cook, stirring often, allowing the mixture lightly bubble, stirring often, reducing heat if necessary, until fragrant but not browned, about 5-6 minutes. Turn off the heat and let cool slightly.
In the bowl of a food processor, add the roasted hazelnuts and pulse until they reach a fine consistency.
Add the garlic-sage-oil mixture, along with the honey, lemon juice, and pulse into a coarse paste, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Finally, add the cheese, plus an extra drizzle of olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Pulse again to combine. Taste and add more seasoning, lemon or honey, as desired.
For the roasted squash:
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400°F/200°C (180° fan-assisted) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Transfer the the squash to the prepared baking sheet, drizzle with oil and toss until evenly coated. Spread in an even layer without crowding and season with salt. Roast for 15 minutes, then add the chestnuts (if using) and give everything a toss. Cook for another 10 minutes, or until the squash is tender and slightly coloured.
For pasta:
Whole the squash roasts, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Just before draining, remove 1/2 cup (125 ml) of the pasta cooking water. Drain and return to the pot.
Add the pesto, the roasted squash and 1-2 tablespoons pasta cooking water to the pot with the pasta and toss gently to combine. If desired, thin the pasta sauce with a little more of the reserved cooking water.
Divide the pasta between plates. Top with fried sage leaves. Serve with freshly grated parmesan and some chili flakes, if desired.
Enjoy!
Notes
Chestnuts add a little nuttiness and mild sweetness. However, if you do not have cooked chestnuts on hand, simply skip them, as this pasta recipe also takes fantastic without them.