Butternut Squash and Hot Honey Pizza

This unique pizza combines the sweetness of butternut squash and onions with the creamy richness of ricotta and mozzarella, topped with a drizzle of hot honey for a spicy-sweet kick. The roasted almonds add a delightful crunch, making this a perfect dish for when you want to impress with something a little different.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb pizza dough
• 1/2 lb butternut squash
• 1 red onion
• 1 clove garlic
• 4 oz ricotta cheese
• 3¾ oz mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 oz fresh rosemary
• 1 oz roasted almonds
• 1/2 oz Mike's Hot Honey (or your preferred hot honey)
• All-purpose flour (for dusting)
• Olive oil
• Kosher salt & ground pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat the Oven:
• Preheat your oven to 500ºF with a rack in the lowest position. Allow the pizza dough to come to room temperature.

1. Prepare the Squash and Onions:

• Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil. Cut the butternut squash into 1/2-inch pieces if necessary. Halve the onion and slice into 1/4-inch pieces.
• Add the onion and squash to the boiling water and simmer for 3–4 minutes until the squash is just tender. Drain well.

1. Make the Ricotta Mixture:

• While the squash and onions are boiling, grate 1 teaspoon of garlic into a bowl. Add the ricotta and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and mix well.

1. Prepare the Toppings:

• Cut the mozzarella into small pieces. Pick 1 tablespoon of rosemary leaves and finely chop them.
• In a large bowl, gently toss the cooked squash and onions with the chopped rosemary and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

1. Assemble the Pizza:

• Generously oil a rimmed baking sheet. On a well-floured surface, roll or stretch the pizza dough into a 10x13-inch rectangle. If the dough springs back, cover and let it sit for 5–10 minutes before rolling again. Dust off any excess flour and carefully transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet.
• Evenly spread the ricotta mixture over the pizza dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border all around. Top with the mozzarella, then scatter the squash and onion mixture over the pizza.

1. Bake:

• Transfer the pizza to the oven and bake until the dough is browned and the cheese is bubbling, about 12–18 minutes. Watch closely as ovens may vary.

1. Finish and Serve:

• While the pizza bakes, roughly chop the roasted almonds. Add the hot honey to a small bowl for easy drizzling if desired.
• Once the pizza is done, carefully slide it onto a cutting board. Top with chopped almonds and drizzle all over with hot honey. Cut into pieces and serve. Enjoy!

Tips:

• If your dough is resistant to rolling, allow it to rest for a few minutes before trying again. This will make it easier to shape.
• Adjust the amount of hot honey based on your spice preference.

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve this pizza with a simple arugula salad dressed with lemon and olive oil to balance the richness.
• Pair with a chilled glass of white wine or a light, crisp beer for a complete meal.