Lula's Winter Greens Lasagna

Lori Pierce, chef and owner of Lula’s for Lunch, offered this winter- time favorite. For a vegan version, omit the dairy.

makes 12 servings

For the filling:

2 lbs. winter greens (such as kale, chard, or mustard)
4 Tbsp. olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
1⁄2 tsp. salt
4 garlic cloves, minced
8 oz. aged Gouda, coarsely grated
12 oz. quark (find it at Urban Stead) or ricotta cheese 1 (16 oz.) box lasagna noodles

For the sauce:

5 cups peeled, diced butternut squash
1 cup diced onion
1 apple, peeled, cored, and diced
3 cups vegetable broth
2 whole peeled garlic cloves
1 bay leaf
1 ⁄ 4 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp. local honey
1 Tbsp. fresh thyme leaves
1 Tbsp. minced fresh sage
1 tsp. ground allspice
1 tsp. ground coriander
1 tsp. salt
1 ⁄ 2 cup heavy cream

Remove stems from greens; chop leaves into small pieces. In a tall stock pot, heat olive oil, then add onion, garlic and salt. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until onions are soft (about 8 minutes). Add all the greens, stirring, until all greens wilt but are still bright green. Remove from heat and drain.

In a large stock pot combine squash, onion, apple, broth, garlic, bay leaf, and red pepper. Bring to simmer. Cook until squash and apple are soft, 20–30 minutes. Meanwhile, cook lasagna noodles according to package directions. When squash and apples are done, add honey, thyme, sage, allspice, coriander, and salt; simmer 10 minutes more. Turn off heat and remove bay leaf. Blend smooth with an immersion blender, then add cream.

Preheat oven to 350°; grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Spread a thin layer of sauce on bottom, then layer 4 noodles. Spoon half the greens mixture over the noodles, then dot with half the quark or ricotta. Add second layer of noodles, 1 ⁄ 2 of sauce, remaining greens, quark/ricotta, and 1 ⁄ 2 of Gouda. Add the final layer of noodles, remaining sauce, and remaining Gouda. Cover with greased foil. Bake 45–60 minutes, covered, then remove foil and bake 15 minutes more, until brown and bubbly.