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smokin’ maple bacon cranberry pumpkin bowls

(3 ratings)
merrycarol avatar
Recipe by
Merry Graham
@merrycarol
Newhall, CA

This is a holiday favorite of mine at Thanksgiving and Christmas. The colors of the ingredients in the dish mark the season of festivity and flavor. The dish is really easy yet unique and always receives oooo and ahhhs! I hope you try it! I also like to make it with parsnips and pumpkin mixed. Enjoy!

(3 ratings)
yield 8 serving(s)
prep time 20 Min
cook time 20 Min

Ingredients For smokin’ maple bacon cranberry pumpkin bowls

  • 2
    (2.5 lbs.) sweet baby pumpkin pie pumpkins, washed well
  • 2 Tbsp
    olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp
    garlic salt
  • 5 slice
    bacon, cut in 1-inch pieces
  • 1 c
    white onion, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp
    smoked paprika
  • 1/2 c
    dried sweetened cranberries
  • 3 Tbsp
    pure maple syrup
  • 3/4 c
    fresh orange juice
  • 1 Tbsp
    orange zest
  • 1/4 tsp
    salt
  • 1/2 tsp
    lemon pepper
  • 1/4 c
    smoked or regular gouda cheese
  • 2 Tbsp
    fresh chopped chives
  • 2 Tbsp
    chopped toasted pecans or walnuts

How To Make smokin’ maple bacon cranberry pumpkin bowls

  • 1
    Heat oven to 400 degrees. Place pumpkins in microwave; cook on HIGH for 9 minutes. Cut partially cooked pumpkins in half, scoop out seeds and discard (or season and bake seeds). Brush olive oil in each half and sprinkle with garlic salt; roast for 20 minutes or until fully cooked and soft. Place 2 pumpkin halves upright on a cookie sheet. (If needed, pumpkin can be fully cooked in microwave with out the use of a conventional oven.)Peel remaining two pumpkins, and cut into 1-inch cubes. Set aside.
  • 2
    Meanwhile, in a large skillet, on medium-high, fry bacon 8 minutes or until almost crisp; stir in onions and paprika and sauté for 5 minutes or until onions are beginning to soften. Turn heat to medium, add cranberries and maple syrup; stir continually for 1 minute. Stir in orange juice, zest, salt, lemon pepper, and pumpkin cubes; cover, and cook on medium-low for 5 minutes or until pumpkin is fully cooked. Pour into pumpkin bowls and sprinkle with cheese and chives; bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes or until warm throughout and cheese has melted. Sprinkle with toasted pecans or walnuts. Cut pumpkins into quarters to serve. Serves 8.
  • 3
    Variation: If you are feeling festive add 1 tablespoon of Bourbon to the maple syrup!
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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