Butternut Squash Macaroni and Cheese

I asked friends from Seattle to Switzerland to name the quintessential American dish, and the clear favorite was mac and cheese. Because I first tasted it within a few days of my arrival in the United States, that truly resonated with me.

For me, mac and cheese is as emblematic of American tradition as a classic apple pie, bringing me the same sense of comfort as a platter of delicate and fluffy Iranian rice. It also offers endless possibilities for adaptation and elevation.