Chef Gigi Gaggero

Drool! Fragrant melted cheese served in a communal pot, or a traditional caquelon or fondue pot over a little réchaud brought to temperature with a candle or various other types of flambe material. Small-bit-sized foods are consumed by dipping bread, assorted vegetables, and proteins dunked right into the warm, mouth-watering melted cheese using long-stemmed pronged forks. 

Fondue was created to promote a national dish in Switzerland. I think they nailed it. It became so popularized in North America in the 1960’s the term “fondue” has now been coined for other dishes in which a portion of food is dipped into a communal pot of warm liquid kept hot. We have all heard of chocolate fondue, fondue au chocolate, in which pieces of fruit or pastry are plunged into a melted chocolate mixture, and fondue bourguignonne, in which elements of meat are cooked in hot oil or broth. 

Either way, you enjoy it. Sweet desserts or savory choices are up to you. I’ve been on a savory Fondue craze this winter and just wanted to share it with you.

You won’t even need a fondue pot to enjoy melted cheese. I used a winter squash, and I hollowed out a giant round loaf of walnut bread at one point. I cut up and pre-roasted some sweet baby potatoes and various veggies I knew my family would enjoy. I especially love to dunk roasted baby carrots and raw red bell peppers. The challenge is eyeballing how much fondue you’ll need to fill your squash or bread round and then trying not to eat all the ingredients during prep time. 

When it comes to the perfect serving portions, it’s another variable. I always prep about two to three pieces of each choice, equaling about a dozen bites per person—some on the side for those with larger appetites, like myself. I not only included a cubed variety of breads but also par-cooked veggies like broccoli florets and carrots. Mmmmm, sooooo good!  

Take a quick peek at the recipes below. 

Enjoy! 

 

You’ll Need

1 whole kabocha squash or any winter squash of your choice, about 5-8 inches in diameter

3-6 cups of fondue to fill squash or bread round ( feed 6-8 pp) recipe below

1 large clove of peeled garlic- smashed 

Here’s How

Preheat your oven to 350’F degrees. Prepare your squash as you would for carving out a pumpkin for Halloween. Cut off a ‘lid’ and scoop out all the seeds and membranes. 

Gently rub the insides with a hefty knob of butter and a good sprinkling of salt. Smash the clove of garlic and rub it all over the interior. Drop the clove to the bottom of the squash leave it throughout the roasting process. Place the lid back onto the squash and sit the whole pumpkin on a sturdy baking tray. Foil the stem of you, think it will be at risk of burning.  

Bake until cooked through but still firm to a knife. About 30-60 minutes to depending on the size of your squash. I like to roast my squash until I can poke a sharp knife through the flesh and then add the fondue making sure it doesn’t fall about all soggy. Remember when choosing your squash’s size, the larger the squash, the thicker the walls, the dense the meat, and the longer the cooking time. Don’t forget you will roast an extra few minutes when the fondue is added.

 While the squash is roasting in the oven, prepare your fondue filling. 

For the Cheese Fondue

Use this recipe to yield about 3 cups of fondue and adjust as needed to your bread or squash bowl size. I usually double the recipe for a sizable sourdough round.

You’ll Need

1 cup Emmental cheese, grated

1 cup Gruyère, grated

1 cup mature white Cheddar, grated

2 tablespoons of cornstarch

3/4 cup of crème fraîche or light sour cream

1/4 cup tablespoons of dry white wine or splash of bourbon or sherry

1 shallot, cleaned, and cut in half 

2 garlic cloves, smashed

pinch of nutmeg ( optional )

Here’s How

In a medium-sized bowl, toss the grated cheese with the cornstarch until the cheese is completely coated. 

On the stovetop over medium-low heat, add all the fondue ingredients and slowly warm until melted, stirring occasionally.

The last 15 minutes of roasting, remove the squash from the oven. Remove the lid and set it aside for a serving garnish.  

Remove the garlic clove and discard. Carefully pour the melted fondue mixture into the baked cavity of the squash—place back into the oven and continue to baking for an additional 10-15 mins or until the fondue bubbling and slightly brown and the flesh of the squash appears to be baked and creamy. 

Place on a platter and surround the squash with various pieces of bread and veggies for dipping. Supply your guests with spoons so that they can scoop out chunks of soft, roasted pumpkin with the melted cheese after the dipping session. 

Suggestions for Dipping 

Crusty bread, cut into bite-sized pieces

Crunchy breadsticks 

Al dente roasted vegetables

Raw vegetables cut into bite-sized pieces

Roasted butternut squash cubes

Whole raw scallions

Crackers

Variations

Use any variety of squash or choose individual ones for each of your guests.