Roasted Pumpkin with Maple, Chili and Feta

This Roasted Pumpkin with maple syrup, chilli and feta is my new favourite way with pumpkin. Extra caramelisation from a dash of maple syrup combined with the kick of chili. And finished off with the sharp saltiness of feta and crunch of walnuts. I’ll happily have this any night of the week as the main!

I’m on a mission to post a meat free dish every single week. (Desserts don’t count!) In fact, I think I’m going to create an entire section on my blog, dedicated to Meat-Free Recipes for Carnivores. If I do that, then there will be more accountability. I’ll be more motivated to regularly come up with meat-free recipes that are so delish that even carnivores like myself won’t miss meat.

I think that’s a good little project! I’ll work my way through the A – Z of veggies and create a recipe that “stars” each vegetable.

So pumpkin is well and truly ticked off with this recipe! This Roasted Pumpkin with Maple, Chilli and Feta is really meaty and seriously addictive. Something magical happens to pumpkin when you roast it. It intensifies the sweetness and caramelises beautifully. But I’ve stepped it up a notch by adding a dash of maple syrup which makes the caramelisation and sweetness even more intense.

Then to add an interesting twist, I’ve added a very generous amount of dried chili flakes. The kick of chili is such a great contrast to the sweetness of the pumpkin! Finish it off with a crumble of salty, sharp feta and prepare for a bite of heaven.

Mmmmm….

Oh wait! I forgot! I also tossed in some walnuts for crunch, as well as the pumpkin seeds (why waste them?!). I like the slight bitterness of walnuts but honestly, you can use whatever nuts you have. Almonds, pistachios, pine nuts and pecans would go especially well. But even peanuts will work! You just want something to add a bit of crunch, otherwise it’s a bit one dimensional. 🙂

I made this with Kent pumpkin (aka Jap pumpkin) because it was on sale at just $0.99/kg ($0.99/2lb)! I’ve been eating pumpkin A LOT this past week. 🙂 But you can make this with any type of pumpkin or even squash.

Do you have a favourite way to prepare pumpkin? – Nagi

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Maple Roasted Pumpkin with Chili and Feta

Author: Nagi | RecipeTin Eats

Prep: 10 mins

Cook: 25 mins

Total: 35 mins

Roasted, Vegetables

5 from 23 votes

Servings3 - 6

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This is my new favorite way with pumpkin! A fabulous side but also meaty enough to serve as a main. Serves 3 as a main or 6 as a side. ! I made this with pumpkin but it is just as delicious made with squash or (as Dorothy, a reader suggested) sweet potato!

Ingredients

• 2 lb / 1 kg pumpkin or squash or sweet potato (whole, unpeeled)
• 2 red onions, peeled and each onion cut into 12 wedges
• 1/4 cup walnuts, roughly chopped (Note 1)
• 3 tbsp maple syrup, or honey or brown sugar (Note 2)
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp dried chili flakes, adjust to taste - flavour becomes milder when roasted
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Black pepper

Garnishes (Optional)

• 1/4 cup feta cheese
• Fresh red chili finely diced
• Parsley finely chopped

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 200C/390F.
• Peel and dice the pumpkin into 1"/2.5cm cubes (no need to peel if using squash or butternut pumpkin). Reserve the pumpkin seeds and give them a quick rinse under the tap.
• Place the pumpkin, pumpkin seeds, onion and walnuts onto a large baking tray. Drizzle with olive oil and maple syrup, then use an egg flip to toss the pumpkin so it is evenly coated.
• Sprinkle the pumpkin with the dried chilli flakes, salt and pepper.
• Roast for 25 minutes, or until the pumpkin is browned and cooked through. Toss once at around 15 minutes.
• Remove from the oven, crumble over feta and garnish with fresh chili and parsley, if using. Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes:

1. You can use whatever nuts you prefer but just be aware that you might need to adjust the cooking time i.e. toss them in partway through roasting. Walnuts hold up well in the oven for the full roasting time. Almonds, peanuts and cashews will also be fine for the full time. If using pine nuts, sunflower seeds or pepitas (or other small nuts), add them halfway through the roasting time.

2. If you use brown sugar instead of honey or maple syrup, mix it with the olive oil before pouring over the pumpkin.

3. Nutrition assuming 6 servings.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 214gCalories: 165kcal (8%)

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