Sunday, November 3, 2013

Pumpkin Cranberry Maple Kugel

This cross-cultural mash up of fresh pumpkin, cranberries, and maple syrup with noodle kugel makes a lightly sweet (without sugar) dessert--and a terrific post-holiday breakfast!

This post is part of the Thanksgivukkah Food Blogger Potluck hosted by Stefani of CupcakeProject.com.  You can read all about it here, and scroll down for links to many more recipes!

Pumpkin Cranberry Maple Kugel | Farm Fresh Feasts
I think it is a natural tendency, when you embark on a new endeavor, to look to those experienced in the field for guidance.
When I became a mother I looked to the women around me who were a few months/years ahead of me on the motherhood journey.  From the practical (my oldest friend took one look at the giant convertible carseat I was lugging in and out every day and loaned me her snap-in infant carrier) to the more intangible (while fretting about the lower percentile my son doggedly stayed in on his growth chart, another friend reminded me that when he gets to college, no one will remember or care where his height/weight fell on the chart at age 6 months). The help I received from those women who have gone before me made a huge difference in my life.

As my children grow into their teens, I continue to look to those ahead of me, and I'm especially interested in the interactions of mothers and their now-adult children.  I avidly observe my friends who have adult children with Spina Bifida, watching and learning the steps of the complicated dance that is supporting yet not directing another adult's life.  It is fun to see photos of a friend enjoying a day at Disney with her daughter who now works there.  It's gratifying to see another friend's daughter drop in to see her mom at work, just for a little Mom time (and not money!).

Pumpkin Cranberry Maple Kugel | Farm Fresh Feasts

Why am I going on about mothers and adult children?  It was Molly, visiting her mom during sled hockey practice recently, who gave me the idea for this recipe.  See, while I was brainstorming Hanukkah/Thanksgiving mashup ideas, all I could think of was latkes.  Over the years I've been over to my oldest friend's house many times to make--and eat--latkes, but they were the star of the meal.  While I was chatting with Molly and her mom about other Hanukkah dishes, like brisket and roast chicken, Molly suggested kugel.
I just happened to have my copy of Melt: The Art of Macaroni and Cheese (Amazon affiliate link) because I was working on this post and wouldn't you know it, there's a recipe in Melt for Sweet Potato Kugel. [Put this book on your holiday wish list, unless you're local to me, then check it out of the library or borrow my copy--I keep finding more recipes I must try, and each one I've made is well-written with delicious results.]  Obviously from the title of this post I didn't make that recipe (I used pumpkin not sweet potato, fresh cranberries not dried, maple syrup in place of sugar and changed up the spices) but since Stephanie Stiavetti and Garrett McCord have gone before me into the world of autumnal vegetable kugels I am glad to follow their guidance.

Pumpkin Cranberry Maple Kugel | Farm Fresh Feasts

Just like I follow others who have gone before me.

Pumpkin Cranberry Maple Kugel | Farm Fresh Feasts

Pumpkin Cranberry Maple Kugel (inspired by and adapted from Sweet Potato Kugel in  Melt: The Art of Macaroni and Cheese (Amazon affiliate link) )

1/2 cup cranberries, fresh or frozen
4 ounces (by weight) egg noodles 
2 Tablespoons Cranberry Honey Butter (recipe here, or use plain unsalted butter)
1 cup (8 1/2 ounces by weight) roasted sugar pie pumpkin (how I put up my pumpkins here, or use plain canned pumpkin)
3/4 cup (5 ounces by weight) cottage cheese (I'm picky about cottage cheese, and each time I move I  must find one that works for me.  Here in Ohio it's the kind pictured above. Use your favorite)
3 Tablespoons (2 ounces by weight) sour cream
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon Baking spice (or more cinnamon)
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg (about, I was eyeballing it as I grated directly into the bowl)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, and preheat a large pot of salted water and a small sauce pan over medium high heat.  In the small sauce pan, boil cranberries with 1/4 cup water for 5 minutes, drain and set aside to cool, then chop into quarters.  In the large pot cook the noodles until al dente, according to package directions [interestingly, my package had no directions so I went with 8 minutes], drain, and toss with cranberry honey butter.  Set aside.  In a large bowl, combine pumpkin, cottage cheese, sour cream, syrup, spices, and vanilla.  Whisk in eggs. Stir in buttered noodles and chopped cranberries.  Turn into a festive 1.5 qt casserole.  Bake 35 to 45 minutes, or until the noodles sticking up get brown and crunchy.  This made 8 small servings, and was also delicious for breakfast.

Pumpkin Cranberry Maple Kugel | Farm Fresh Feasts

Want more Thanksgiving/Hanukkah recipes?  Here ya go!

Thanksgivukkah Tzimmes (Tsimis) Pie from Parade Magazine
Potato Latkes Topped with Turkey and Cranberry Chutney from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
Chocolate Cranberry Cake with Gelt Glaze from What Jew Wanna Eat
Candied Sweet Potato Latkes from Everyday Maven
Butternut Squash Puree with Honey and Smoked Paprika from The Lemon Bowl
Sweet Potato Noodle Kugel from Rhubarb and Honey
Pumpkin-glazed Cronuts from MotherWouldKnow
Flamingo's Mulled Wine Cocktail - Hot & Cold from Flamingo Musings
Thanksgivukkah Decorating from Sucre Shop
Onion Bagel and Bacon Stuffing from Very Culinary
Sweet Potato Pie Doughnut Holes from Cooking for Luv
Challah Cranberry Doughnuts from Food is my Love Language
Challah Stuffing with Turkey Sausage, Leeks and Cherries from The Little Ferraro Kitchen
Pumpkin Challah from Labna.it
Thanksgivukah Pumpkin Tsimmes from {fork & swoon}
Turkey and Sweet Potato Latkes from FoodieTots  

This post is shared on the Clever Chicks Blog Hop, Tasty TuesdaysWhat's Cookin' Wednesday, the Wednesday Fresh Foods Link Up

26 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Amy,
      I am nothing if not crafty, my kids would say (though not necessarily in a positive way).
      Thanks--this was fun to join!

      Delete
  2. Replies
    1. Samantha,
      Yes, pumpkin and cranberry is a keeper around here. Thanks!

      Delete
  3. Replies
    1. Amy,
      Bacon and Onion Bagel stuffing is even more clever in my book (and oh could I go for that right now) Thanks!

      Delete
  4. Kugel is one of my favorite food groups, and you've managed to come up with one that's perfect for the season! Love these flavors!

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    Replies
    1. Renée,
      I'd say pizza and muffins are in my favorite food groups, but I am a fan of Kugel for Breakfast. Thanks!

      Delete
  5. What a fun use of that wonderful book! And perfect flavors for Thanksgivukkah!

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    Replies
    1. Jennie,
      I know, right?! I thought the mac and cheese in a pumpkin was pretty amazing, but then to find a kugel ready for a few tweaks was just brilliant. I can't wait to try my next recipe from Melt!
      Thanks!

      Delete
  6. I have never had kugel. The sweet recipes always perplexed me – is it a side dish or a dessert? But I can totally see serving this for breakfast. And thanks for the fresh cranberries – I much prefer them to dried cranberries in most things. I like the dried ones in salads and trail mix, but fresh everywhere else. Thanks for the recipe!
    Sarah

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sarah,
      I like a hint of sweet in my plate of sides, like cranberry sauce nestled amongst the green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, and other sides-to-be-named-later (I am all about the sides), so I could see this as a side. I was spoiled growing up, because on Christmas Eve we'd have a big Scandinavian smorgasbord, stuff ourselves silly, go play Bobby Hull hockey/candlelight services, then come back for dessert which was fruit soup, lefse, and a large assortment of cookies. So I like to have a variety of desserts, not all tooth-crackingly sweet, on my holidays.
      But yeah, kugel for breakfast is AWESOME!
      Thanks!

      Delete
  7. This looks amazing, Kirsten! I love the combo of cranberries and pumpkin.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Annemarie,
      Thank you! I like the combo too-and I'm thinking about a pizza, of course ;)

      Delete
  8. What a fun combo! I love Kugel but generally prefer the savory variation over sweet. This one looks good :)

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    Replies
    1. Alyssa,
      I could eat it all, but I know my kids appreciated me working on a sweet recipe for a change. And if this kugel is throwing them a bone, well, that's a pretty tasty bone, you know? Thanks!

      Delete
  9. What a great combination! Cranberries and pumpkin in kugel meld my favorite flavors of Thanksgiving with one of my all time favorite Jewish holiday recipes. Thanks Kirsten.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Laura,
      I have learned much about what's served 'beyond latkes' for Hanukkah participating in this potluck.
      Thanks!

      Delete
  10. Oh I love sweet kugels and everything pumpkin -- this sounds fabulous! Happy Thanksgivukkah!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Colleen,
      I'm very much a pumpkin fan, I love how versatile that vegetable is--and sweet kugels are a new revelation to me.
      Thanks!

      Delete
  11. I love the story on this post. It was touching and sentimental and usually I don't do those things, but I make an exception for you. Plus, you're sort of my CSA guide...I look to you for storage tips, freezing tips, recipe creation...I just thought you should know that.
    I've never had any kind of kugel, sweet or savory, and now I'm eager to try some. I even oddly or coincidentally enough picked up egg noodles this weekend for some no-chicken soup which didn't get made. I might have to set some aside for this little ditty.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Meghan,
      If you had asked me a year ago when I started blogging how I'd like the writing part, I would have told you it was . . . fine. I am surprising myself by my desire to write more and more.
      Who knew?!
      Thanks!

      Delete
  12. I've never tried kugel before, but it sure looks good. Thanks so much for sharing on Tasty Tuesdays!

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    Replies
    1. Cheryl,
      Thank you for your kind words! Kugel is relatively new to me, but it's such a versatile recipe that I'm adding it to my repertoire.

      Delete
  13. I made this pie last night! It’s beautiful…and DELICIOUS!!

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  14. Best of luck for your next blog.
    Thank you for such a wonderful article and sharing.God bless you.!
    Spotify Cracked

    ReplyDelete