Ambrosia Apple & Rutabaga Casserole

Your New Favourite Side Dish

ambrosia apples recipeAre you ready to shake things up at your holiday dinner this year? This baked dish is simple (with less than 5 ingredients) but it’s flavour is complex and satisfying.

Rutabaga is an underappreciated vegetable. It’s packed with vitamin C and fibre – just like Ambrosia apples. The contrast between the sweet Ambrosia and the savoury mashed rutabaga makes every bite delightful.

This recipe is a twist on an old recipe from a Best of Bridge cookbook that featured turnips and apples. We swapped in mashed rutabaga and added some feta to make it a perfect accompaniment to the Ambrosia apples baked inside.

Did you know that up until the late 60’s rutabagas were known as ‘yellow turnips’ or ‘swedes’. They decided to change the vegetable’s name to rutabaga because too many people were confusing them with regular turnips, which look similar but are smaller and have white flesh. The taste is similar too so you can swap out the rutabaga for turnips in this recipe, if you want. Just pay attention to how long you boil them because the turnips may take less time to become tender.

Either way, this makes a surprisingly delicious dish. Here’s how to make it.

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium rutabaga, peeled and cubed (about 4 cups)
  • 2 medium Ambrosia apples, peeled, cored & sliced
  • 1 ¼ cups crumbled feta (divided)
  • Pinch salt and pepperButter (for greasing pan)

Method:

  • Preheat oven to 350° and grease an 8” pan with butter.
  • Boil rutabaga in lightly salted water for 20 – 30 minutes until tender.
  • Mash rutabaga until smooth (use a food processor if available).
  • Add 1 cup of crumbled feta to mashed rutabaga and mix until fully combined.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Spread half of the mashed rutabaga on the bottom of the pan.
  • Layer on the sliced Ambrosia apples.
  • Spread the remaining mash over the layer of Ambrosia apples.
  • Sprinkle remaining crumbled feta on top.
  • Bake at 350° for 1 hour or until top turns golden brown.
  • Remove and allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

 

Even those who turn-up their noses at turnips will be going back for seconds. Plus, it’s easy to make ahead which will reduce your stress on the day-of. Happy Holidays.

 

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