Roasted Squash With Sour Cherries Spiced Seeds Feta Recipes

ROASTED SQUASH WITH SOUR CHERRIES, SPICED SEEDS & FETA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and line a large baking tray with baking parchment. Arrange the squash or pumpkin wedges on the tray and drizzle with oil. Season well, put in the oven and roast for 35-45 mins or until tender (different varieties will take varying amounts of time, so check by pressing the flesh with a knife - it should be very tender when cooked).
• Meanwhile, prepare the spiced seeds. Wash and dry the seeds from your squash, removing any stringy bits. Mix the seeds, spices and oil on another baking tray lined with baking parchment, season well and toss together. Put on the shelf below the squash and roast together for the final 10 mins, stirring now and then, until toasted.
• Put the vinegar, honey and cherries in a small pan. Simmer gently for 2-3 mins until the cherries are plump and the dressing has reduced by half. Stir in a pinch of salt and the sesame oil, remove from the heat and leave to cool for 10 mins.
• To serve, arrange a layer of warm wedges on a platter. Drizzle over the syrupy dressing and cherries, the seeds and mint leaves. Finally, scatter with feta.

SPICY ROASTED DELICATA SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Cut the squash in half lengthwise and scoop out and reserve the seeds in a small bowl. Cut the squash into 1-inch half-moons and place into a large bowl.
• Thinly slice 1 of the jalapenos and place in a small bowl with the white balsamic, making sure the vinegar covers the peppers completely. Set aside to pickle while the squash cooks.
• Meanwhile, thinly slice the remaining jalapeno and transfer to a small skillet with 1/4 cup of the olive oil and 1 teaspoon of the harissa. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until the peppers are shimmering and starting to lighten in color in the center and the seeds are turning golden brown, about 5 minutes. Strain the oil into the large bowl with the squash and add the remaining 2 teaspoons harissa, 1 teaspoon salt and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper. Use tongs (the oil will be hot) to toss everything together. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake until a butter knife can be inserted easily into the squash and removed, about 30 minutes.
• While the squash is cooking, toss the seeds with the pumpkin pie spice, cayenne pepper, remaining 1/2 teaspoon olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake until light golden and crispy, 7 to 8 minutes.
• Transfer the squash to a serving platter. Drain the jalapenos and sprinkle over top along with the feta cheese and roasted seeds.

ROASTED SQUASH SEEDS (WITH VARIATIONS) RECIPE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Cut the squash in half lengthwise. Gather seeds from squash, separating them from the stringy flesh, and place them in a colander . Rinse the seeds thoroughly in a colander and pick away any excess squash flesh still clinging to the seeds.
• Once clean, spread the seeds out in an even layer on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and allow them to dry. Seeds can be patted dry, but they roast much better when they are completely dry. This is a good step to reach before you continue to prepare the main flesh of your squash in whatever recipe you prefer. The seeds can be allowed to dry for 30 minutes to several hours before you go on to the roasting step.
• Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 275 F. Toss the dry squash seeds with salt and butter and place in a single layer onto a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper . Place in the oven and bake until the seeds begin to turn golden, 15 to 20 minutes.
• When you remove them from the oven, agitate the pan a bit to loosen them. Allow them to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving as they will become crisper as they cool.