If you’re searching for a dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate, look no further than this Maple Roasted Pumpkin with Walnuts and Feta Recipe. It perfectly balances the natural sweetness of tender roasted pumpkin with the rich crunch of walnuts and the salty creaminess of feta cheese. Every bite offers a wonderful medley of flavors and textures that make this recipe a seasonal favorite and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re serving it as a cozy side or a star salad, this dish brings a generous splash of color and personality to your table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are wonderfully simple yet essential for delivering the perfect harmony of taste, texture, and vibrant color in the Maple Roasted Pumpkin with Walnuts and Feta Recipe. Each item plays a crucial role in making this dish unforgettable.
- Pumpkin (2 lb / 1 kg): Small sugar or pie pumpkins provide the ideal natural sweetness and tender flesh for roasting.
- Red onion (1): Adds a gentle sharpness and sweetness once roasted, balancing the pumpkin’s flavor.
- Walnuts (1/2 cup / 50g): Bring a satisfying crunch and earthy bitterness that complements the creamy feta.
- Olive oil (3 tbsp / 45 ml): High-quality extra virgin olive oil ensures a silky roast and enhances all other flavors.
- Pure maple syrup (3 tbsp / 45 ml): The star sweetener that caramelizes beautifully on the pumpkin and walnuts, adding depth.
- Danish feta cheese (3/4 cup / 110g): Crumbled at the end, it contributes a salty creaminess that contrasts perfectly.
- Fresh parsley (1 tbsp): Offers a fresh, herbal brightness that lifts the dish.
- Kosher salt (3/4 tsp / 4.5g): Essential for seasoning and bringing forward the natural sweetness of pumpkin.
- Dried chili flakes (1 to 1 1/2 tsp): Adds a gentle warmth, giving the dish a hint of spice without overpowering.
- Large red chili (optional): For garnish, it adds color and a punch of heat if you want to turn up the flavor.
How to Make Maple Roasted Pumpkin with Walnuts and Feta Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Start by heating your oven to 200°C/400°F (or 180°C if you’re using a fan-forced oven). Preheating is crucial here because a hot oven ensures your pumpkin and walnuts roast evenly and develop that irresistible caramelized flavor and texture we all crave.
Step 2: Arrange Ingredients Thoughtfully
Slice your pumpkin into chunks and cut the red onion into wedges. Lay these out on a baking tray lined with parchment paper along with the walnuts. Spreading everything out evenly is key to avoiding over-crowding, which can trap steam and stop the crisp roasting magic from happening.
Step 3: Coat and Season Well
Drizzle the olive oil and pure maple syrup over your pumpkin, onion, and walnuts. Use your hands (it’s the best kitchen tool for this job!) to toss everything until it’s coated evenly. Next, sprinkle the dried chili flakes and kosher salt, tossing gently again to make sure every piece is well seasoned and ready for roasting.
Step 4: Roast to Tender Perfection
Pop the tray into your preheated oven and roast for 30 minutes. At the 20-minute mark, give everything a toss to promote even browning and crispy edges. You want the pumpkin tender enough that a fork slides in easily and the walnuts toasty and golden. That beautiful caramelization is what brings this recipe to life.
Step 5: Present with Flavor
Once roasted, carefully toss the mixture again in its delicious cooking juices to distribute the flavors evenly. Then transfer everything onto a serving platter in a single, inviting layer that showcases the vibrant colors of the pumpkin and onion, and the rich browns of the walnuts.
Step 6: Garnish for Extra Appeal
Finally, crumble the Danish feta cheese generously over the top, scatter chopped fresh parsley, and if you like a bit of heat and color, add some thin slices of large red chili. Serve immediately to enjoy the contrast of creamy, nutty, sweet, and spicy all at once. This step brings everything together with spectacular flair.
How to Serve Maple Roasted Pumpkin with Walnuts and Feta Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishing is where you add visual and flavor pizzazz. Fresh parsley adds a burst of green brightness, and crumbled feta brings that tangy, creamy punch. Thin chili slices not only boost the heat but make the dish pop with vibrant color, turning a simple roast into a stunning showstopper.
Side Dishes
This Maple Roasted Pumpkin with Walnuts and Feta Recipe pairs beautifully with a variety of mains. Think roasted chicken, grilled fish, or even a hearty grain bowl. It’s versatile enough to be a side or a warm salad component, making it a perfect companion to your weeknight dinners or festive feasts.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this dish warm on a rustic wooden board for casual dinners or layer it over a bed of baby spinach or arugula to add freshness. For a fun twist, toss the roasted pumpkin mixture into whole-grain pita pockets or use it as a topping for toasted sourdough bread, creating an eye-catching and delicious open-faced sandwich.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover roasted pumpkin, walnuts, and onions in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Keep the feta separate if possible to preserve its texture. When you’re ready, bring everything back to room temperature or gently reheat before serving.
Freezing
This recipe freezes reasonably well. Cool it completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container or bag. It can keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. When defrosting, do so overnight in the fridge for best texture results, because the pumpkin and walnuts can become softer when frozen and thawed.
Reheating
To reheat, spread the leftovers on a baking tray and warm in a preheated oven at 180°C/350°F until heated through and crisp edges reappear—about 10 to 15 minutes. Alternatively, microwave it gently but expect less crispness. Add fresh feta and parsley after reheating to revive the dish’s fresh flavors.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pumpkin?
Absolutely! While small sugar or pie pumpkins have the sweetest, most tender flesh, you can substitute with other pumpkin varieties or even butternut squash. Just keep in mind the texture and sweetness may vary slightly.
Is this dish vegetarian or vegan?
This dish is vegetarian thanks to the feta cheese. For a vegan version, simply omit the feta or replace it with a plant-based cheese alternative or toasted vegan parmesan-style crumbs.
Can I make this recipe spicier?
Yes! Add more dried chili flakes or garnish with extra fresh chili slices to ramp up the heat. You can also incorporate a pinch of smoked paprika for a smoky depth.
How do I know when the pumpkin is done roasting?
The pumpkin is perfectly cooked when a fork slides in easily and the edges start to brown slightly, indicating caramelization. Keep an eye during roasting and do the fork test around the 25-minute mark.
What can I substitute for walnuts if I’m allergic?
You can swap walnuts for other nuts like pecans or hazelnuts if you’re not allergic to those. For a nut-free option, try pumpkin seeds (pepitas) toasted lightly—they add a wonderful crunch and flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Maple Roasted Pumpkin with Walnuts and Feta Recipe is such a delightful blend of flavors and textures that it’s sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. Its simplicity, combined with the thoughtful layering of sweet, savory, crunchy, and creamy, invites comfort and joy at every meal. So grab your ingredients, preheat the oven, and enjoy creating something truly special!
Print
Maple Roasted Pumpkin with Walnuts and Feta Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightful Maple Roasted Pumpkin recipe featuring tender pumpkin roasted with red onion and walnuts, coated in olive oil and pure maple syrup for a perfect balance of sweetness and savoriness. Finished with crumbled Danish feta, fresh parsley, and optional chili garnish, this dish offers a vibrant, flavorful side perfect for autumn meals.
Ingredients
Vegetables and Nuts
- 2 lb (1 kg) pumpkin, preferably small sugar or pie pumpkin for best flavor
- 1 red onion
- 1/2 cup (about 50g) walnuts
Seasonings and Toppings
- 3 tbsp (45 ml) olive oil, good quality extra virgin
- 3 tbsp (45 ml) pure maple syrup (Grade A or B)
- 3/4 cup (about 110g) Danish feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 3/4 tsp (approx. 4.5g) kosher salt or cooking salt
- 1 to 1 1/2 tsp dried chili flakes
- 1 large red chili (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Your Oven: Heat the oven to 200°C/400°F (180°C fan-forced). Ensure the oven is fully preheated before roasting to guarantee even cooking and caramelization of the pumpkin and other ingredients.
- Arrange Ingredients Thoughtfully: Place the pumpkin pieces, red onion wedges, and walnuts evenly spaced on a lined baking tray. Avoid overcrowding to ensure roasting instead of steaming. This sets the base for a perfect caramelized texture.
- Coat and Season Well: Drizzle the olive oil and maple syrup evenly over the pumpkin, onion, and walnuts. Toss thoroughly with your hands to ensure every piece is well coated. Sprinkle in the chili flakes and salt, tossing again to distribute these seasonings evenly across all components.
- Roast to Tender Perfection: Roast the mixture for a total of 30 minutes. At the 20-minute mark, remove the tray and toss the ingredients gently to promote even browning and crispness. Continue roasting until the pumpkin is tender when pierced with a fork and the edges have a light caramelized color.
- Present with Flavor: Once roasted, gently toss the pumpkin mixture again to coat it in the flavorful cooking juices. Transfer the roasted pumpkin, onion, and walnut mixture to a serving platter, spreading it out in a single attractive layer for presentation.
- Garnish for Extra Appeal: Sprinkle the crumbled Danish feta cheese evenly over the roasted mixture. Finish by scattering chopped fresh parsley and adding optional slices of large red chili for an added pop of color and mild heat. Serve immediately to enjoy the contrasts of warm roasted flavors and creamy feta.
Notes
- Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor and health benefits.
- Choose small sugar or pie pumpkins as they have a sweeter, denser flesh ideal for roasting.
- Adjust the amount of chili flakes based on your heat preference; the sprinkled red chili is optional.
- Ensure not to overcrowd the baking tray to achieve proper caramelization and texture.
- Maple syrup adds natural sweetness but can be swapped with honey if preferred, though it will slightly alter flavor.
- Feta cheese provides a salty, creamy contrast—feel free to substitute with another crumbly cheese if dairy restrictions apply.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
