This delectable bruschetta recipe combines apples, butternut squash, ricotta cheese and fall spices to create the perfect appetizer for autumn!
Hey, y'all! Happy Saturday! It's time for another edition of Saturday's Snacks! Each week I share with you a delicious appetizer that is perfect for munching on during the big game. So far this season I have shared with you recipes like Taco Meatballs, Fiesta Stuffed Peppers, Buffalo Chicken Ring, and Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers.
As you can see, football games aren't all just chips and queso around my household, however...I have to admit I have some pretty banging queso recipes as well.
Every once in awhile I get a little wild and crazy with my appetizer choice. My grandmother was in town visiting for Thanksgiving so I wanted to whip up something special for the game. I thought about making my Pomegranate and White Cheddar Cheeseball, Hot Caramelized Onion Dip with Bacon and Gruyere or a beautiful cheeseboard, but I decided to do something totally out of the box. I set out to create an unconventional appetizer that would be perfect for fall.
What are some of the foods that you think of when you hear the word "fall"? I automatically think of pumpkin, apples, cinnamon, butternut squash, and acorn squash. I set out to come up with a dish that combined some of these flavors into a delectable finger food to enjoy during the game.
When most people think of bruschetta they envision tomatoes, feta and balsamic glaze served on a baguette. Right? Believe it or not, there are all kinds of bruschetta. You can make it with pumpkin, strawberries, pomegranate, beans, meat or cheese! The term bruschetta actually just refers to grilled bread rubbed with garlic and topped with olive oil.
For my bruschetta concoction, I combined butternut squash, apples, ricotta cheese, and balsamic glaze with fall spices. Rather than taking the time to dice a butternut squash myself, I bought a bag of frozen butternut squash cubes and defrosted them for this recipe.
Kitchen Essentials:
Ingredients:
2 cups diced butternut squash (if you use frozen, make sure it is brought to room temperature). 1 cup diced apples 4 tbsp olive oil (divided) 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg 1/4 tsp allspice 1/4 tsp ground cloves 1 tsp salt, divided 1 loaf of french bread, sliced 1 cup ricotta cheese 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 425.
2. In a medium-size bowl, combine butternut squash and apples with 2 tbsp olive oil, spices, and 1/2 tsp salt. Once combined, place the mixture in an even layer on a baking sheet. Bake it in the oven at 425 for 15 minutes.
3. While the squash and apples are roasting, slice 1 loaf of french bread. Brush the bread with 2 tbsp olive oil. Set aside.
4. In a medium-size bowl, combine ricotta cheese with 1/2 tsp kosher salt and garlic. Set aside.
5. Place the slices of bread in the oven for about 5 minutes, or until toasted to your liking.
6. Top the slices of toasted bread with ricotta cheese mixture. Pile on the squash and apple mix. Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
7. Serve immediately
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