Three Great Cold Weather Side Dish Recipes

As the colder weather of fall and winter descend upon us, it becomes a good time to adjust your food preparation to somewhat heartier fare, and the use of cold weather seasonings.

The three recipes that follow start with hearty cold weather vegetables, squash and sweet potatoes, and add some great fall and winter seasonings, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar.

These side dishes are great accompaniments to a holiday meal, but are easy enough to serve any day.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon

Ingredients

4 sweet potatoes

2 tablespoons of butter, margarine, or spread

1 tsp of cinnamon

Procedure

1. Peel and cube the sweet potatoes.

2. In a large pot, combine the potatoes and enough water to cover the potatoes.

3. Bring to a boil, and cook the potatoes for 25-30 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft.

4. Drain the potatoes using a colander, and transfer them to a large bowl.

5. Using a metal potato masher, mash the sweet potatoes until they are pureed.

6. Add the butter, margarine, or spread. For a creamy final product, you an also add about a quarter of a cup of milk, cream, or half and half.

7. Add the cinnamon, and using the potato masher, mash and mix the potatoes until all the ingredients are blended.

Butternut Squash with Apples

Ingredients

Two large Butternut Squash

3 Fresh Apples

Butter, margarine, or spread

Light Cream, Half & Half, or Milk

Cinnamon

Nutmeg

Brown Sugar

Procedure

1. Peal the squash and cut in half. Remove the seeds. Cut the squash into cubes.

2. In a large pot with enough water to cover the squash, boil the squash for about 25-30 minutes, or until it is soft.

3. Once the squash is cooked, drain off the water using a colander in the sink.

4. In a large bowl, us a potato masher to mash the squash until it is a smooth, creamy consistency.

5. Add approximately one tablespoon of butter, margarine, or spread, and approximately one to two tablespoons of cream, half and half, or milk to the squash. Stir until blended.

6. Add one tablespoon of brown sugar, one teaspoon of cinnamon, and one half teaspoon of nutmeg to the squash, and again stir until blended.

7. Core and thinly slice the apples. Place the apple slices in a large Ziploc bag along with one tablespoon of brown sugar, one teaspoon of cinnamon, and one half teaspoon of nutmeg. Close the bag and shake it up until the seasonings coat the apples.

8. Pour the squash into a 13 x 9 glass baking pan. Place the seasoned apples in a single layer on the top of the squash in the pan.

9. Bake the squash and apples in the oven at 350 degrees for about one hour, or until the apples are soft.

Sweet Potato Cubes

Ingredients

4 sweet potatoes

3-4 tablespoons olive oil

2 tsp Ground pepper

2 tsp Salt

2 tsp Garlic powder

4 tsp Cinnamon

2 tsp Nutmeg

Procedure

1. Peel and cut sweet potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes.

2. In a covered bowl or Ziploc bag, combine cubed potatoes, oil, and seasonings. Shake or stir well until potatoes are coated with oil/seasoning mixture.

3. Pour coated potato cubes into a glass baking dish. Bake at 350 for approximately one hour, until potatoes are soft and slightly browned.