Squash Gratin with Poblanos and Cream

I really really love this dish. (I'm a big butternut squash fan.) I don't make it often because it is a bit time consuming. Peeling and cutting squash is always a pain and it's a bit of a process to prepare the poblanos. But I think it's worth the effort. I usually just use milk instead of heavy cream and light sour cream instead of creme fraiche to save on calories. And less cheese. And for some reason I always prepare it as written and then remember it makes a huge amount and my children don't like it. But then I get leftovers for days! So you could easily half the recipe.

Squash Gratin with Poblanos and Cream

• ACTIVE: 45 MIN
• TOTAL TIME: 2 HRS
• SERVINGS: 12

1. 6 large poblanos (about 1 1/2 pounds)
2. 2 large butternut squash (4 pounds total)—peeled, halved, seeded and sliced 1/2 inch thick
3. 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
4. 1 1/2 teaspoons coarsely chopped thyme
5. Salt and freshly ground black pepper
6. 1 large white onion, thinly sliced
7. 3 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
8. 1 teaspoon coarsely chopped oregano
9. 1/2 cup heavy cream
10. 3/4 cup crème fraîche or sour cream
11. 8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
12. 8 ounces farmer cheese (see Note)
13. Toasted pumpkin seeds, for serving

1. Preheat the oven to 400°. Roast the poblanos directly over a gas flame or under the broiler, turning, until they are charred all over. Transfer the chiles to a bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap and let them cool. Peel, stem and seed the chiles, then cut them into thin strips.
2. Brush the butternut squash with 6 tablespoons of the olive oil and spread it on 2 large rimmed baking sheets. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of the thyme and season with salt and pepper. Roast for about 25 minutes, until the squash is tender, shifting the pans from top to bottom and front to back halfway through baking. Increase the oven temperature to 425°.
3. Meanwhile, in a large, deep skillet, heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the sliced onion, garlic, oregano and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of thyme and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and fragrant, about 8 minutes. Add the poblano strips and cook until they are very tender, about 5 minutes. Add the heavy cream and simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the crème fraîche and season the poblano mixture with salt and pepper.
4. Spoon half of the poblano mixture into a large baking dish and top with half of the butternut squash and half of the Monterey Jack and farmer cheeses. Repeat with the remaining poblano mixture, butternut squash and both cheeses. Bake in the center of the oven for about 30 minutes, until the gratin is golden and bubbling. Let the gratin rest for 10 minutes. Garnish with the pumpkin seeds and serve.

MAKE AHEAD The unbaked gratin can be refrigerated overnight. Return to room temperature before baking. NOTES Farmer cheese is a form of cottage cheese that has had the liquid pressed out of it. It's slightly tangy with a dry texture that makes it great for crumbling. Look for it at specialty-food stores or at cheese shops.