Monday, August 9, 2010

In protest of Summer....


...I made a favourite Autumn dinner!  Roasted butternut squash, brussell sprouts and baked ham with a yummy glaze!  I have been ready for Autumn to come and couldn't wait any longer!

Organic butternut squash. 

It's always best to choose organic when it is available as organic foods dont have pestidices and are not genetically altered to survive the effects of pesticides.  Organic is becoming more and more affordable - the day I bought the squash I paid 1.49 a pound, the non-organic squash was 1.29 a lb so I paid maybe 1.00 more for all of this squash.

Ready to be scooped!

I used a vegetable peeler to peel the squash, cut it in half, scooped out the seeds and chopped it up.  I prefer smaller pieces for maximum roastability.

Brussell sprouts defrosting along side the squash. 

Cut the sprouts in half and toss with olive oil, salt and pepper.  I often sprinkle kelp granules on them before baking for depth of flavour.

I tossed the squash with olive oil and curry powder. 

My fancy mise en place!  Brown suger, marmalade, cloves and grainy mustard.

I made a glaze and poured it over the clove-studded ham.

I put a little bit of water in the bottom of the pan.  I popped it into the over at 400 for about an hour - half way through I covered it with tin foil.  The vegetables took about 30 minutes but keep an eye on them because the sprouts can easily burn.

YUM!  I use small plates so no we aren't piggies!

Be light handed with the oil when prepping the squash - it really just needs a dribble otherwise it wont crisp up at all.  The glaze made a nice sauce and the cloves just put the ham over the top!  Stud the ham and make the glaze from the sugar, marmalade, and mustard.  Easy Peasy!


Have a fabulous day!

25 comments:

Associate Girl said...

I'm pushing fall too. I'm just ready. I brought out the crock pot and made chicken and biscuits for my South Carolina husband. Have a great Monday - XO, AG

Jo said...

There was a chill in the air the other morning and I did get a little excited for all that autumn offers.

Supper looks delish!

Jo

Unknown said...

you had me until brussel sprouts! Looks yummy though :)

Silver Strands said...

Oooh! Kelp on brussel sprouts ... YUM! The whole meal looks very satisfying. And I'm with you! Bring on autumn!!!
oxoxox
Denalee

Suburban Princess said...

Artgirl - you should try them before rejecting them :O)

Ms. Bake-it said...

I am still not ready to let go of summer yet! The roasted vegetables look and sound great. I love Brussel sprouts and especially roasted.

~ Tracy

highheeledlife said...

MMMMM ... My Father use to love baking ham ... seeing your pictures brought back warm memories of sitting around the family table and enjoying a meal!!

I'm ready for Autumn too!!! Fav - season!!!XO...HHL

Jaime said...

Yummy!! You are going to laugh at me but whenever I go to my grandparents in Shelburne, I make sure we go to the local fish and chips diner. I love it! And it is hard to find good fish and chips in the States. And I am obsessed with poutine sauce! We don't have it down here!! SO if you know a good recipe.. please share. :)

Anonymous said...

I'm impatiently waiting for fall as well- it's my absolute favorite season!

Thanks for the squash tips- my dad gave me some butternut squash in his garden, but I didn't know what to do with it besides bake it with cinnamon like a sweet potato, lol!

Southern Champagne Wishes said...

I'm not ready for summer to be over quite yet, but I do love fall foods (especially pumpkin).

Your dinner looks delicious and I completely agree with you. I've started buying as much organic as I can lately (some things aren't yet available in our city) and I love it!

Leslie @ A Blonde Ambition said...

I just love the title of this post- In Protest of Summer. Amen to that!

Kim Reese said...

I'm so against the changing of seasons, as I adore the hot weather. Though, this year, even I wouldn't mind a taste of fall -- every day above 90 is a bit teadious. Your meal looks divine and has left me craving the comfort of fall foods...

BroncoMom said...

Looks yummy. I know it has been hot all over but just the thought of the cold makes me wanna cry. :(

Town and Country House said...

I'm going to try this menu in a about six weeks, when it is cooler here. I love the photo you chose of all those gorgeous leaves, too.

highheeledlife said...

YEAH!!!!! It brought me here!!!! HHL

Sydney Carver Snyder said...

Sounds delicious! I can't wait for fall!

Unknown said...

You had me grinning the moment I saw the post title! Love that you're ready for Fall. I'm getting a little more excited for it but first need to enjoy some slower days of summer. xo Elizabeth

Tammy B said...

I can't wait for fall. I'm tired of the 100+ temperatures down here in Alabama.

Princess Freckles said...

This dinner look sdelicious! I love squash!

Llama said...

That looks absolutely delish! Yummm!!!! I protest summer too!! :)

Janine said...

This looks yummy!! Love your pic of the north shore of Lake Ontario too. My old stompin grounds.

Unknown said...

Yum!

I've been dying to make some chili!

Coryanne Ettiene | Kitchen Living with Coryanne said...

I am not sure what 'fall' brings in AZ but I can say the thing I love about it is the cool breeze and cooking in the oven again...that looks yummy

Kim @ The Celebration Shoppe said...

I so know how you feel! I'm always a season ahead with the shoppe and I'm glad to see someone else is too! ;)

Red Lipstick said...

I adore you! I'm an autumn or fall girl too, and often protest by wearing very fall-esque clothing! My skin is sooo light and freckles if I just think of sun, so I just don't want it to touch me! (not to worry, just had a vit D test and my levels are great! my dr knows of my sun-phobia!)