• Make-Ahead

Ingredients

1. 1 1/4 cups dried cellini or Great Northern beans, rinsed and picked over, then soaked for 2 hours
2. Kosher salt
3. 1 1/4 pounds butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice (2 cups)
4. 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
5. Freshly ground pepper
6. 3 dozen littleneck clams, scrubbed
7. 6 thick slices of bacon (4 ounces), cut crosswise into 1/4-inch strips
8. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
9. 1 medium onion, cut into 1/2-inch dice
10. 3 large celery ribs, cut into 1/2-inch dice
11. 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
12. 4 large garlic cloves, minced
13. 1 1/3 cups dry white wine
14. 1 cup heavy cream
15. Garlic Bread, for serving

Directions

1. In a saucepan, cover the beans with 2 inches of water and bring to a boil. Simmer over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 1 1/2 hours; add water as needed to keep the beans covered by 2 inches. Season the beans with salt and let stand for 5 minutes. Drain the beans, reserving 1 1/2 cups of the cooking liquid.
2. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375°. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss the squash with the oil; season with salt and pepper. Bake for 20 minutes, until browned.
3. Set a colander over a bowl. In a skillet, cook the clams and 2 tablespoons of water over moderately high heat, covered, shaking the skillet a few times, until the clams open, 5 minutes. Transfer the opened clams to the colander; discard any that do not open. Remove the clams from their shells. Strain and reserve 1 cup of the clam broth.
4. In a saucepan, brown the bacon over moderately low heat, about 4 minutes. Stir in the butter. Add the onion, celery and crushed red pepper, cover and cook, stirring, until softened, 8 minutes. Add the garlic, cover and cook until fragrant, 4 minutes. Add the wine and boil until reduced by two-thirds, 6 minutes. Pour in the reserved clam broth, the reserved bean cooking liquid and the cream; simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the beans, squash and clams; simmer just until heated through. Serve the chowder in bowls with the Garlic Bread alongside.