Bring together the best of the autumn harvest with this pumpkin and apple casserole. It makes a nice dessert and will make your home smell absolutely wonderful. Nothing compares to baked pumpkin and apple with other seasonal fruits, honey and spices.
Although fall is far away, we can still be delighted with fall fruits and vegetables. These are the best source of inspiration for healthy and tasty desserts, especially during cold days. Baked pumpkin and apple casserole can be consumed at any time of the day. It can be transformed into a wonderful desert on the festive table if served along with cow cheese or sour cream. Due to the simplicity and the correct ingredient selection, this dish will decorate any holiday meal.
What are the ingredients for apple and pumpkin casserole?
As the name suggests, you’ll need two basic ingredients – apples and pumpkin:) You’ll also need honey or sugar to sweeten up the dish. Pecan nuts will give crunchiness and will make it heartier. Cinnamon is a must ingredient for the dish as it will leave out such a beautiful aroma. It will remind you Christmas. If you wanna take out butter, a wonderful replacement is the coconut oil. I used coconut oil for this casserole. This oil is very appropriate for desserts of any kind.
What kind of apples to use for the casserole?
Apples are the fruits we’re all used to but never tired of consuming. Apples are very popular fruits all over the world and carry a number of fascinating names like Jonagold, Granny Smith, Elstar or Pink Lady. Also, they come in a variety of shades. Some are green, some reds, some yellow, some with a lively mix. We are fortunate enough to have them and to enjoy these tempting fruits throughout the year.
I always choose apples that are sweeter because i do not have to add much extra sugar or honey for sweetness. In addition to apples, you can also add pears and/or currants. The aromas of the desert will thus be much richer and more diverse.
One apple a day keeps the doctor away
Apples contain little protein or fat, so the energy delivered comes almost exclusively from carbohydrates. An average size apple (100 g) has almost 50 kcal, which corresponds to about 2% of the daily energy requirements. That’s why apple is considered to be an ideal snack between meals. Thanks to the mix of easily digestible sugars, in the form of fructose and glucose, an apple delays or even cancels the desire for another snack between the main dishes.
What kind of Pumpkin to use for this casserole?
Pumpkins are most sensual vegetables out there. Their bumps and their curves are for every taste. Their tonal colors and patterns can enjoy anyone. When it comes to cooking, my favorite type of pumpkin is the butternut one. It is sweeter and it has no fiber. I love that. You will not feel the fiber when eating it. Moreover, it can be used for salty dishes as well as for sweet ones.
Small round squashes like Baby Boo, Munchkin, or Sweetie Pie are better used for table decorations or home decoration.
Sugar or Honey?
Both sugar and honey are very caloric products. Honey, just like sugar, is a combination of glucose and fructose. The difference between the two consists in the way the body digests it, and in the glycemic index. Honey is healthier to consume because it has a lower glycemic index than sugar. Additionally, it is proven that these foods protect against cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, i would always recommend using honey or brown sugar. The less a product is processed, the healthier it is and the more nutrients it brings to the organism.
How to prepare Apple and Pumpkin casserole?
It is an easy peasy recipe. You’ll have everything prepared in 10 minutes. The rest of the job will be made in the oven.
Cut pumpkin in half, scrape out seeds and pulp. Cut pieces into 1-inch cubes and rinse in cold water. Measure out 4 cups. Wash the apples, remove the core. Cut the fruit into medium sized cubes. Rinse the raisins if you wish to use some for this casserole, and dry. Cut the Pecans with a knife if you like it in smaller pieces. Preheat oven to 350°F. You can grease a casserole dish with 1 tablespoon butter. In a large bowl, combine pumpkin, apples, pecans, brown sugar or honey, and raisins. Mix well. Toss gently. Spoon mixture into buttered casserole dish. Drizzle honey over pumpkin and apple casserole. Grate a lemon skin for extra flavor. Cover and bake 45–50 minutes. When you take the pan from the oven, dust the casserole with powdered sugar.
Caramelized Pumpkin Apple Casserole
Equipment
- baking pan
Ingredients
- 1 medium butternut Pumpkin
- 4 medium apples
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 4 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1/2 cup pecan nuts
Instructions
- Cut pumpkin in half, scrape out seeds and pulp
- Cut pieces into 1-inch cubes and rinse in cold water
- Wash the apples, remove the core
- Cut the fruit into medium sized cubes
- Add pecan nuts
- Sprinkle with cinnamon
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Drizzle honey over pumpkin and apple casserole
- Grate a lemon skin for extra flavor
- Cover and bake 45–50 minutes
- Take out the casserole, dust with powdered sugar
