Balsamic-Roasted Pumpkin with Goat Cheese

Directions

Ingredients :

1 (3 pound) sugar pumpkin

¼ cup balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons maple syrup

or to taste

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

½ teaspoon kosher salt

or to taste

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

or to taste

2 ounces crumbled goat cheese

or to taste

1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano

Methods :

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Place pumpkin onto a secure cutting board. Cut the top and bottom off the pumpkin, removing as much of the stem as possible. Use a sharp vegetable peeler or a paring knife to remove the pumpkin peel. Cut pumpkin in half, and use a spoon to scoop out seeds and strings. Trim away any pieces of stem that may remain. Cut each pumpkin half into 1/2-inch strips. Chop each strip into 1/2-inch cubes. Place cubed pumpkin into a large bowl.

Mix balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl until thoroughly combined. Pour over pumpkin pieces and toss to thoroughly coat. Pour pumpkin into an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Stir gently, then continue baking until pumpkin is softened and slightly caramelized, 25 to 30 minutes more, stirring again if needed. Serve pumpkin warm, topped with goat cheese and fresh oregano.