Pumpkin Romano Gratin

This savory pumpkin side dish could become a new holiday tradition. If you don't have time to make fresh pumpkin puree, it's just as good with canned as a substitute.

Ingredients

• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
• salt and pepper
• 3 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 sugar pumpkin (about 4 pounds) or 3 cups canned pumpkin puree

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Set a steamer basket in a pan with 1 inch of water. Cover and bring to a boil. Add peeled and seeded sugar pumpkin, cut into 2-inch chunks. Cover and cook until very tender (about 15 minutes). Puree pumpkin in a food processor until smooth. Set aside.

2. Combine bread crumbs and cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

3. Season pumpkin puree with salt and pepper. Spoon into a 1-quart baking dish. Sprinkle top with crumb mixture and dot with butter. Bake until crumbs are browned (about 15 minutes).

Serves 6