Eggnog Roasted Acorn Squash

Okay. I know what you're thinking. You're all like, "Katie, you crazy girl! Eggnog with squash?"

Hear me out...

First of all, acorn squash is utterly scrumptious with sweet companions like maple syrup and brown sugar. No one can dispute that. Sugar + squash = heaven. And second, eggnog and these acornies go together like a dream. Like a holiday-filled, sugar-plum (or squash) dancing dream. 

Produce On Parade - Eggnog Roasted Acorn Squash - A delicious, versatile, and easy way to use up extra squash. Serve with dinner, or as dessert! With creamy eggnog and caramelized brown sugar, these thyme scented squash are sure to be a hit!

I got this magical idea from a recipe I saw where Martha Stewart had roasted acorn squash with a bit of coconut milk in the center. So I thought to myself, forget coconut milk, I'm going to use eggnog! I think I shall, henceforth, always replace coconut milk with eggnog. 

This is a delicious, versatile, and easy way to use up those neglected squash you have lying about. Serve with dinner, or as dessert! With creamy eggnog and caramelized brown sugar, these thyme scented squash are sure to be a hit!

Produce On Parade - Eggnog Roasted Acorn Squash - A delicious, versatile, and easy way to use up extra squash. Serve with dinner, or as dessert! With creamy eggnog and caramelized brown sugar, these thyme scented squash are sure to be a hit!
Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.
— Leo Tolstoy
Produce On Parade - Eggnog Roasted Acorn Squash - A delicious, versatile, and easy way to use up extra squash. Serve with dinner, or as dessert! With creamy eggnog and caramelized brown sugar, these thyme scented squash are sure to be a hit!
Produce On Parade - Eggnog Roasted Acorn Squash - A delicious, versatile, and easy way to use up extra squash. Serve with dinner, or as dessert! With creamy eggnog and caramelized brown sugar, these thyme scented squash are sure to be a hit!
Produce On Parade - Eggnog Roasted Acorn Squash - A delicious, versatile, and easy way to use up extra squash. Serve with dinner, or as dessert! With creamy eggnog and caramelized brown sugar, these thyme scented squash are sure to be a hit!

If you're cool like me, you can halve the squash the opposite of normal people (I have no idea why I ended up doing this), and you'll get pretty little squash stars. Cool!

Produce On Parade - Eggnog Roasted Acorn Squash - A delicious, versatile, and easy way to use up extra squash. Serve with dinner, or as dessert! With creamy eggnog and caramelized brown sugar, these thyme scented squash are sure to be a hit!

Eggnog Roasted Acorn Squash

A delicious, versatile and easy way to use up extra squash. Serve with dinner, or as dessert! With creamy eggnog and caramelized brown sugar, these thyme scented squash are sure to be a hit!

Yield: 4 squash halves

Ingredients

  • 2 whole acorn squash, halved
  • ½ cup vegan eggnog
  • sprinkle of kosher salt
  • sprinkle of ground black pepper
  • dash of dried thyme
  • sprinkle of brown sugar

Cooking Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 F and wash the acorn squash.
  2. Cut the two squash in half. Be careful if you decide to slice a little off the bottom to stabilize the squash, you don’t want to go all the way though it or the eggnog will leak out.
  3. Place on a baking sheet and fill each half with 2 Tbsp. of eggnog. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and thyme to taste.
  4. Around the rim of the squash halves, sprinkle a generous amount of brown sugar, which will caramelize in the oven.
  5. Bake at 375 F for about 50-60 minutes, until fork tender.
Produce On Parade - Eggnog Roasted Acorn Squash - A delicious, versatile, and easy way to use up extra squash. Serve with dinner, or as dessert! With creamy eggnog and caramelized brown sugar, these thyme scented squash are sure to be a hit!
Produce On Parade - Eggnog Roasted Acorn Squash - A delicious, versatile, and easy way to use up extra squash. Serve with dinner, or as dessert! With creamy eggnog and caramelized brown sugar, these thyme scented squash are sure to be a hit!
Produce On Parade - Eggnog Roasted Acorn Squash - A delicious, versatile, and easy way to use up extra squash. Serve with dinner, or as dessert! With creamy eggnog and caramelized brown sugar, these thyme scented squash are sure to be a hit!

Dutch Word of The Day

Thanks --> bedankt (beh-donkt)

Good Deed of The Day

Read this article from the Poughkeepsie Journal on why going vegan might be the best New Year's resolution. Ever. Then share it with your friends and family!

Spiced Pumpkin Eggnog

Happy Halloween! I'm all dressed up, and be sure to check out social media later to see what I am. Don't forget to let me know what you're dressing up as!

It's time to do the eggnog dance. Oh yes. You might be thinking, "Eggnog? It's technically not even November yet!?" and to that I say, "If you add pumpkin, anything is game for October." Hence, the eggnog, which I was badly craving ever since I saw the organic cow milk egg nog at the store. 

I inquired about the non-dairy stuff and the stocker told me they only get a few cartons here and there. Boo that. Sometimes I forget I can just make the stuff (1000x better too) at home! So yesterday I decided to make me some! Except, I was out of cashews...drat! I wasn't about to let that stop me though. Macadamia nuts swooped in to the rescue, but I recommend using cashews. This recipe is adapted from my most delicious eggnog recipe

Produce On Parade - Spiced Pumpkin Eggnog - A thick and creamy, non-dairy pumpkin eggnog that’s vegan and sweetened only with dates. You’ll be amazed how incredible it is!
If you want to find happiness, find gratitude.
— Steve Maraboli
Produce On Parade - Spiced Pumpkin Eggnog - A thick and creamy, non-dairy pumpkin eggnog that’s vegan and sweetened only with dates. You’ll be amazed how incredible it is!

A thick and creamy, non-dairy pumpkin eggnog that’s vegan and sweetened only with dates. You’ll be amazed how incredible it is! 

Produce On Parade - Spiced Pumpkin Eggnog - A thick and creamy, non-dairy pumpkin eggnog that’s vegan and sweetened only with dates. You’ll be amazed how incredible it is!
Produce On Parade - Spiced Pumpkin Eggnog - A thick and creamy, non-dairy pumpkin eggnog that’s vegan and sweetened only with dates. You’ll be amazed how incredible it is!
Produce On Parade - Spiced Pumpkin Eggnog - A thick and creamy, non-dairy pumpkin eggnog that’s vegan and sweetened only with dates. You’ll be amazed how incredible it is!
Produce On Parade - Spiced Pumpkin Eggnog - A thick and creamy, non-dairy pumpkin eggnog that’s vegan and sweetened only with dates. You’ll be amazed how incredible it is!

Spiced Pumpkin "Eggnog"

Recipe by Katie @ Produce On Parade

A thick and creamy, non-dairy pumpkin eggnog that’s vegan and sweetened only with dates. You’ll be amazed how incredible it is! NOTES: Due to the whole-food ingredients, please consume within a of couple days. The rum is barely, barely noticeable in this eggnog, so adjust accordingly. Please use freshly ground nutmeg, it makes a world of difference!

Yield: 10-15 servings

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup raw cashews
  • 2 cups fresh cold water
  • 1 15oz. can full-fat coconut milk
  • half of 1 15 0z. can pumpkin puree
  • 6 medjool dates, pitted
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp. freshly ground nutmeg
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 3 Tbsp. spiced rum (optional)
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
  • 1/8 tsp. ground cloves

Cooking Directions

  1. Cover the cashews in boiling water and allow to soak for 30 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile place all remaining ingredients into the blender. Once the cashews are done soaking, drain and add to blender.
  3. Blend on high for several minutes, until smooth and creamy. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
Produce On Parade - Spiced Pumpkin Eggnog - A thick and creamy, non-dairy pumpkin eggnog that’s vegan and sweetened only with dates. You’ll be amazed how incredible it is!
Produce On Parade - Spiced Pumpkin Eggnog - A thick and creamy, non-dairy pumpkin eggnog that’s vegan and sweetened only with dates. You’ll be amazed how incredible it is!

Bob tells me he loooves eggnog and to please share my glass with him right meow. 

Produce On Parade - Spiced Pumpkin Eggnog - A thick and creamy, non-dairy pumpkin eggnog that’s vegan and sweetened only with dates. You’ll be amazed how incredible it is!
Produce On Parade - Spiced Pumpkin Eggnog - A thick and creamy, non-dairy pumpkin eggnog that’s vegan and sweetened only with dates. You’ll be amazed how incredible it is!

Dutch Word of The Day: 

Pumpkin --> pompoen (pom-poon)

Good Deed of The Day:

Did you know Target now has their own line of veggie-based meat products! Yes! They have a few different types: Mushroom Miso Meatless Turkey, Korean Barbecue Meatless Chicken, Smoky Chipotle Meatless Chicken, and Teriyaki Meatless Chicken. Target also carries Just Mayo. Who knew!? Spread the word!