Roasted Vegetable Antipasto

Step 1

Boil the onions for 2 minutes. (Note: if using tiny pearl onions boil for only 1 minute) Meanwhile prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with water and ice. Transfer the onions to the ice bath with a slotted spoon and leave them to cool for 5-10 minutes. Transfer cooled onions to a cutting board. Slice off their root ends and give them a squeeze towards the top. They should pop right out of their skins. If you have trouble, make a shallow little slice down the side. If any of the onions are a lot larger than the rest, slice them in half through the middle – not through the tip and root ends.

Step 2

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium high heat in a large heavy skillet with a lid. Add onions carefully because the oil will splatter. Sauté onions, partially covered to reduce splattering, for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are softened and nicely browned on several sides. (Note: if you use tiny pearl onions the cooking time will be less) Add the sugar, ¼ cup vinegar and ¼ teaspoon salt. Continue to cook, uncovered, stirring frequently, for 3-4 minutes until onions are coated nicely with sweet and sour sauce. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

Step 3

You’ll need a large bowl and two rimmed baking sheets. Preheat oven to 400ºF. Cut the fennel bulbs in half lengthwise. Carefully cut out the little triangular core piece from each half. Then cut each half down the middle, through the hole where the core was. Pull off any brown or bruised outer leaves. Cut each quarter into ¼-inch thick slices, lengthwise (see photo in the post). Toss fennel with 1½ tablespoons olive oil, ¼ teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Spread out on baking sheet. Toss carrots with 1½ tablespoons oil, 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, ¼ teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Arrange on second baking sheet. Cook carrots and fennel in the upper and lower shelves of the oven for 30 minutes, flipping the vegetable over with a spatula and switching the position of the trays halfway through. Transfer vegetables to a platter but keep the oven on and don’t wash trays – you’ll use them to roast the squash.

Step 4

Lay the squash on it’s side and cut it in half crosswise, through the middle (not through the root ends). Slice off each root end. Scoop out the seeds from each squash half so you have two hollow squash cylinders. Cut squash into ¼-inch slices crosswise, which will give you circles of squash. In a large bowl, toss squash rings with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar or pomegranate molasses and ½ teaspoon salt. Spread out into a single layer on the two rimmed baking sheets and cook in the top and bottom of the oven for 30-35 minutes, until soft, flipping squash and switching the position of the trays halfway through.

Step 5

Spread 1 tablespoon olive oil over the bottom of a large skillet, and heat over medium-high heat. Cook asparagus, shifting and tossing them gently, for 4-7 minutes, depending on how thin they are, until they are bright green, crisp-tender, and browned in spots. Transfer to a plate. For very fat asparagus add a tablespoon of water, cover the pot, and let them steam for a few minutes after browning.

Step 6

Arrange vegetables on a platter. Drizzle everything with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2-3 tablespoons balsamic glaze or pomegranate molasses. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, to taste. Add fennel fronds to garnish. Serve warm or at room temperature.