Roasted Maple Glazed Pumpkin and Sweet Potatoes

Author: admin   |   1 Comment   |   Categories: [SMN] Recipes • Holidays • Recipes   |   Tags: • • • • • • • • • • •

This next one is one of my own creations and a favorite holiday recipe. I made it this past Thanksgiving and for a Friendsgiving celebration that I had with my close friends and family. I came up with this recipe while creating my menu for the holidays. We all usually have mashed potatoes at most holiday spreads as well as a Sweet Potato Casserole topped with sweet and fluffy marshmallows. Well that just seemed redundant to me. Two mashed roots on the same table was one too many. So I thought, “Why not roast one of the dishes but still make it spiced and somewhat sweet?!”

The best part of this recipe is that you can mix up the type of squash you use in place of the pumpkin. The last time I made this, I used butternut squash and acorn squash. Whatever you may find to make it easier for you the better. Another thing, to make this the best possible dish on that table, you have to make sure you buy REAL MAPLE SYRUP. You can tell it’s the real deal by looking at the ingredients. It should ONLY say that it is made with 100% MAPLE SYRUP. That is my only exception if you make this dish. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE use REAL MAPLE SYRUP. Don’t ruin an incredible dish for your friends and family by using Aunt Jemima’s. She ain’t got nothing on this sweet tree nectar. Anyway, here goes!

Maple_Syrup_Bottles maple-syrup-trees

Serves 8-10

Ingredients:

  • 2# of sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped into 2-3″ spears (Sweet potatoes are not uniform so don’t worry if it doesn’t look perfect. Most importantly is that you make each piece similar in size for even cooking.)
  • 1-2# of pumpkin squash, peeled and chopped into 2-3″ spears (You can vary the type of fall (hard) squash if you can’t find any pumpkin. Squash usually takes a bit longer to cook. So when you cut them into pieces, you can make them thinner or smaller than the sweet potatoes.)
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • salt & pepper TT
  • 1 cup 100% maple syrup
  • 1 cup golden raisins, garnish
  • Maple Glazed Walnuts:
    • 2 cups raw walnuts
    • 2 tbsp 100% maple syrup
    • Method: Preheat oven to 375°F. Mix two ingredients together in a small mixing bowl. Please on a small roasting pan and roast for 25 minutes

IMG_2116

Method:

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F. 
  • In a large mixing bowl, toss your sweet potatoes and pumpkin/squash with all four spices. Spread root vegetables onto a non-stick roasting pan or baking sheet trays. (If not a non-stick surface, line the pan with foil or oven proof parchment paper.) Drizzle maple syrup over the root vegetables evenly. (To prevent burning, try to get as little as you can onto the baking tray itself) Roast for 45 minutes until sweet potatoes are tender. Do NOT overcook.
  • Once root vegetables are  cooked, to prevent overcooking, remove from tray and place in a service dish.
  • Garnish with your Maple Glazed Walnuts and the holden raisins. To add some more color, sprinkle a bit of finely hipped parsley on top. Serve and enjoy!
Maple Roasted Pumpkins and Sweet Potatoes (minus walnuts and raisins)

Happy Holidays!

 

-Chef Flo

[SMN HEALTHY HOLIDAY Recipes] Italian Sausage and Squash Bolognese

Author: Chef Florvil King Valdez   |   0 Comments   |   Categories: [SMN] Recipes • Healthier Eating • Holidays   |   Tags: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Take this easy recipe to any Holiday party and I promise, you’ll be a hit! It’s amazing flavors of seasonal squash and amazing spices like fennel seed and oregano. If you like a traditional Italian bolognese then you’ll be sure to love this as well. The holidays couldn’t taste any better.

My favorite part about this is that your kids would never know the difference. All the squash in this dish is packed with Vitamin A, C, & E, potassium, and fiber. YUM with all the healthy benefits!

So first, pick you favorite winter squash. I recommend using either a butternut squash or an acorn squash, they have the best flavors for this recipe.

How to cook the squash (so that you never used canned squash again!): Preheat your oven to 375°F. Rinse your squash. Cut in half and remove seeds and the rest of the innards. Rinse again and pat dry with a towel. Season lightly with just salt and pepper. You’ll get a chance to season the dish once you cook the bolognese. On a baking sheet/tray, lay the squash cut side up and lightly drizzle with some olive oil. Depending on the size or your squash and type of oven you have, roast your squash for about 25-35 minutes or until fully cooked or tender. Set aside to cool. Once cooled off, scoop out flesh and set aside in a bowl. Place cooked flesh in a blender or food processor and pulse until squash is a thick puree. Set aside until ready to use! (This can be done up to 4 days in advance. Just keep it refridgerated in an airtight container. Or your can freeze it and keep it up to a month or so.)

So now that you know how to roast your own squash at home, go ahead and never ever use canned pumpkin or squash again!

Italian Sausage & Winter Squash Bolognese Ingredients (good for 8 servings): 1 lb of cooked squash (puree) or 1 large butternut squash or 2 medium acorn squash; 1 1/2 lbs of mild or hot Italian sausage (remove from casing); 1 1/2 lbs of penne pasta or your favorite short cut pasta (would be great with Tagliatelle as well); 3 tbsp olive oil; 1 medium onion; 3 cloves of garlic; 2 tsp fresh sage; 2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes; 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken stock; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1 cup parmesan cheese; parsley (for garnish); salt and pepper TT.

If this sounds like something you want to serve up this holiday season and would like the recipe, just leave a COMMENT here on this blog, EMAIL me at servemenowcatering@yahoo.com, TWEET me at @servemenow, or LIKE me and on facebook.com/servemenow!

Stay tuned for more Healthy Holiday Sides! Happy Cooking!