I like to have casual get-togethers during the holidays for family and friends. At this time of year, one-pan dishes become a life-saver for the cook. I often make baked pasta, but this year I will be making these spectacularly delicious vegetarian enchiladas.

I've included a recipe for Tomatillo Sauce to serve with the enchiladas, but if you don't have time to make it, a store-bought variety will work. You can usually find it in the refrigerated prepared condiment case in your market. Frontera makes a good bottled sauce. Another shortcut is to buy peeled and precut butternut squash.

You will have to do a few things in advance to put these splendid enchiladas together. To roast the garlic, wrap 15 peeled garlic cloves in foil and bake at 375 F for about 45 minutes or until soft. Cool the garlic cloves and mash them to a paste. The roasted garlic puree adds a complex flavor layer to the squash. Make up the chipotle cream by adding a few dashes of Tabasco chipotle sauce to 1/2 cup sour cream.

Once all of the preparation is done, you can have fun putting these together with friends, almost like an assembly line. Chilled margaritas would get everyone in a party mood. If you prefer to do it all in advance, you can prepare these a day ahead, cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before baking. I have doubled the recipe successfully for larger parties. You can also freeze the enchiladas for a future meal. If frozen, defrost and reheat.

Serve this as a vegetarian main course along with a simple green salad with avocado slices, toasted pumpkin seeds and cherry tomatoes. It is also good as a side dish with roasted chicken or grilled shrimp. Chilled Mexican beer, sauvignon blanc or a spicy zinfandel would be a nice accompaniment.

Winter Squash and Corn Enchiladas with Salsa Verde and Chipotle Cream

Serves 6.

1 large butternut or other winter squash, about 2 1/2 pounds, halved; or 2 pounds precut, peeled and seeded squash

2 tablespoons olive oil

6 scallions, light green and white part only, thinly sliced

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