Ingredients

1 (2 1/2-lb) butternut squash, halved lengthwise and seeded
4 large eggs plus 2 yolks
2 cups half-and-half
1 1/8 oz finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons)
4 large fresh sage leaves plus 2 teaspoons finely chopped sage

Special equipment: a candy or instant-read thermometer
Garnish: fresh sage leaves

Directions

BUTTERNUT SQUASH FLAN WITH PARMESAN SAGE SAUCE:

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 400°F.

Roast squash, cut sides down, in a lightly oiled shallow baking pan until neck is tender, about 1 hour. Remove from oven and reduce oven temperature to 325°F. Cool squash to warm.

Butter an 8- by 2-inch round cake pan. Line bottom with a round of parchment or wax paper and butter paper.

Scoop flesh from squash, discarding skin, and purée in a food processor until smooth, about 45 seconds. Put 2 cups purée in a bowl, then whisk in whole eggs, 1 cup half-and-half, 2 tablespoons cheese, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper until combined.

Pour squash mixture into cake pan and bake in a water bath until just set and a wooden pick or skewer comes out almost clean, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from water bath and cool flan in pan on a rack 15 minutes. Invert a flat plate over flan, then invert flan onto plate and carefully remove parchment.

Meanwhile, bring whole sage leaves and remaining cup half-and-half just to a simmer in a 1- to 2-quart heavy saucepan, then remove from heat and let steep, covered, 10 minutes.

Remove sage, carefully squeezing leaves to extract liquid, and discard leaves.

Whisk yolks into half-and-half and cook over moderately low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until sauce is thick enough to coat back of spoon and registers 170 to 175°F on thermometer, about 4 minutes (do not let boil).

Immediately pour sauce through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, then add remaining 1/2 cup cheese and chopped sage, stirring until cheese is melted. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.

Cut flan into wedges with a thin knife, wiping knife clean after each slice. Serve flan with sauce.

Cooks\' note:
Flan can be made 2 days ahead and chilled, loosely covered with plastic wrap. Bring to room temperature, then warm on an ovenproof serving platter in a preheated 325°F oven, about 10 minutes. Serve with sauce.