Maple Roasted Pumpkin with Chili and Feta Recipe
A vibrant and flavorful Maple Roasted Pumpkin dish featuring tender pumpkin cubes roasted with red onion and walnuts, coated in a sweet and spicy maple syrup glaze, then finished with crumbled feta, fresh parsley, and a hint of chili for a delightful balance of sweet, savory, and heat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Western
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 lb / 1 kg pumpkin, peeled and cut into 2.5cm / 1″ cubes (whole unpeeled weight)
- 1 red onion, peeled, halved, then cut into 1cm / 0.4″ wedges
- 1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp maple syrup (or honey; can substitute with brown sugar)
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt or cooking salt
- 1 – 1 1/2 tsp dried chili flakes, adjusted to taste
- 3/4 cup Danish feta (or Greek feta, or upgraded to goat cheese)
- 1 large red chili (cayenne pepper), deseeded and finely minced
- 1 tbsp parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) or 180°C (fan-forced) to prepare for roasting the pumpkin and accompanying ingredients.
- Toss Ingredients: On a large tray lined with parchment paper, combine the pumpkin cubes, red onion wedges, and roughly chopped walnuts. Drizzle with olive oil and maple syrup, then toss thoroughly using your hands to ensure even coating. Sprinkle dried chili flakes and salt onto the mixture, toss again, and spread everything out in a single layer without crowding to promote roasting rather than stewing.
- Roast: Place the tray into the preheated oven and roast for about 30 minutes, tossing the mixture once halfway through at 20 minutes. The pumpkin should become lightly browned and tender when done.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the roasted pumpkin mixture from the oven and give it a gentle toss again. Transfer everything to a serving platter in a single layer. Crumble the Danish feta over the top, then sprinkle with the finely chopped parsley and minced red chili. Alternatively, sprinkle the feta, parsley, and chili directly on the tray and then pile into a bowl. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Note 1: The pumpkin weight is given unpeeled; peeling is necessary before cutting into cubes.
- Note 2: Roughly chopped walnuts add texture and a nutty flavor to the dish.
- Note 3: Maple syrup can be substituted with honey or brown sugar for a different sweetness profile.
- Note 4: Adjust the amount of dried chili flakes according to your preferred spice level.
Keywords: maple roasted pumpkin, pumpkin recipe, roasted vegetables, vegetarian side dish, spicy pumpkin, feta cheese, walnut pumpkin dish
