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
Scale
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
