Yield: about 5 dozen
- 6 tbsp. butter
- 1 3/4 cups a.p. flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/4 lb. Fresh goat cheese
- 3/4 cup diced pumpkin or butternut squash
- pinch grated nutmeg
- Salt and pepper
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 2 cups dry breadcrumbs
Line a pan with plastic wrap.
Melt the butter in a saucepan. Add ¾ cup of the flour to the pan and stir to make a blond roux.
Whisk in the milk and bring to a boil whisking constantly to avoid any lumps. Cook until thick. Reduce the heat and whisk in the goat cheese, stirring until completely melted.
Sauté the squash pieces in a touch of olive oil until just beginning to get tender. DO NOT OVER COOK. Fold the squash into the goat cheese mixture. Taste and add the nutmeg, salt and pepper.
Pour the mixture into the plastic wrap lined pan and smooth it to level.
Chill the mixture in the freezer until firm but still soft enough to cut, about three hours.
Set up a standard breading mis-en-place with the remaining flour the eggs and the breadcrumbs.
Invert the croquette mixture onto a cutting board and cut into 1 1/2" cubes.
Working in small batches and keeping the rest cold, bread the croquettes.
Keep refrigerated until ready to fry.
Bread the croquettas by first tossing them in the remaining flour, then the beaten eggs and then the bread crumbs.
Fry in a large pot of oil heated to 350 degrees on a fry thermometer. Cook for about 3 minutes and drain on paper toweling.
