Ingredients

3/4 cup finely chopped onion(1 medium)

5 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 acorn squash, peeled and cubed into 1" pieces

2 1/2 cups water

2 cups whole milk

1 1/4 teaspoons salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

3/4 cup instant polenta

1 oz finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (1/2 cup)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400°F. Place squash on large rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt; toss to coat. Arrange squash in single layer. Bake squash until brown and tender when pierced with fork, about 25 minutes.

While squash is roasting, cook onion in 3 tablespoons butter in a 4-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring, until very soft, about 8 minutes.

Add water, milk, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Add polenta in a thin stream, whisking. Cook polenta at a bare simmer, stirring with a long-handled whisk and turning down heat as needed to prevent spattering, 5 minutes.

Stir in squash and cook, stirring, 3 minutes. Remove from heat, then stir in cheese and remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Serve immediately.