Pomegranate Glazed Winter Vegetables

👩🏻‍🍳 Tamara Talks – Recipe Inspiration

I had planned to call these lovely Roasted Spicy Orange Pomegranate Glazed Winter Vegetables “Mexican,” but I wasn’t confident that would fly… The flavors and ingredients are definitely taken from the Mexican flavor profile: Chipotle chile in adobo, citrus, pomegranate, cilantro, garlic.

I guess it depends on your chosen veg, but winter vegetables like butternut squash and brussels sprouts aren’t typically found in a Mexican market. You are likely to find zucchini and chayote squash, along with an abundance of amazing produce.

This Mexican-inspired vegetable side dish is so EASY. HEALTHY. VEGAN. GLUTEN FREE. ALL THE THINGS. You’ll love it! It’s a side that I created to accompany the Festive Mexican Cornish Game Hens and Mexican Cilantro Rice in my Cozy Christmas Menu for Two in 2017. One of the challenges I’ve faced since our move to McAllen, TX is in cooking for 2.

My husband and I raised 4 sons, and we always had “extras” around (both people and dogs!). As I mentioned with my Cozy Thanksgiving Dinner for Two, I find it more difficult to create a menu that serves 2-4. We love leftovers… just not LEFTOVERS!  😀

At any rate, this girl uses flavor profiles to create new dishes. I love Mexican flavors, and they work really well as a glaze on roasted winter veggies! Interested in more info on Mexican produce? See The Fruits and Vegetables of Mexico and ‘More Mexican Every Day’ Gets Some Love from the Washington Post.

This menu may or may not leave you with a small lunch the next day. We are pretty careful with portion sizes, so we do have a nice lunch the next day. If cooking for a small family is a challenge you face, I’d love to hear from you. Obviously, if this menu appeals to you, simply scale it up!

🥦 Making Pomegranate Glazed Winter Vegetables

Make it Your Own!

Remember: Flexibility is key to becoming more comfortable in the kitchen. Don’t limit this recipe to brussels sprouts and butternut squash. Substitute your favorites, keeping in mind you may need to vary the cooking time. Sweet potatoes, delicata squash, pumpkin, green beans, beets, butternut squash, etc. would make great substitutes.

What is “Pomegranate Molasses?”

Is this an ingredient you’re familiar with? It is a favorite at Andersen casa, and one I keep in my well-stocked pantry.

Pomegranate molasses is a key ingredient in Middle Eastern cooking. When I first began using it, it was difficult (if not impossible) to find in the US. Given my love of Middle Eastern cooking, I simply made my own with pomegranate juice! It requires about 50 minutes to cook down, but requires only 3 ingredients – pomegranate juice, lemon juice, and sugar. No time for that? You can order it on Amazon, or find it in many standard and ethnic markets.

📋 Ingredients You’ll Need

• pomegranate molasses – Pomegranate molasses is widely available in international foods sections of many markets. If you cannot find it, reduce pomegranate juice.
• chipotle in adobo – Chipotle peppers aren’t terribly spicy, but if you’re not familiar with them, you might want to start with a little adobo and tasting it. If you have littles or heat averse eaters, you can omit them.
• maple syrup or honey – I have used (and liked) both.
• orange – Blood oranges are widely available in the winter, and I use them when they’re available. Cara cara oranges are available in the winter as well. Of course regular oranges and tangerines are fine as well!
• olive oil
• butternut squash – Cubed butternut squash is a great time-saving option, and most markets now sell them. If you want to substitute for the butternut squash, sweet potatoes, beets, and carrots are great.
• brussels sprouts – Try fresh green beans if you don’t care for brussels sprouts.
• shallots
• pomegranate arils – Optional and for garnish.
• cilantro

🔪 Instructions

Simplicity and elegance define this dish IMHO. The glaze ingredients get puréed until smooth, then the prepared vegetables get tossed thoroughly with it. They go into a preheated oven, and depending on size, the dish should be caramelized, tender, and gorgeous in about 30 minutes. Garnish with the pomegranate arils and chopped cilantro just prior to serving.

❓ FAQ

🍷 Pairing Suggestions

As I mentioned previously, this side dish recipe was created specifically to pair with Festive Mexican Cornish Game Hens and Mexican Cilantro Rice in my Cozy Christmas Menu for Two in 2017. The 3 dishes beautifully complement each other.

Perhaps you want a healthy side dish to serve with tajín grilled chicken breasts or chamoy glazed salmon? Both recipes are healthy, quick, and easy, and would make a lovely menu!

If you’re looking for a wine to pair with these sweet, tart, and spicy flavors, avoid oak-heavy wines and high alcohol wines. Our preference is a fruit-forward off-dry white – gewurtztraminer or riesling in an off-dry style. If you prefer a red wine, avoid heavy tannins and high alcohol wines like cabernet sauvignon and syrah. Opt instead for pinot noir or zinfandel. I hope this helps!