In all seriousness, it is crunch time.
It’s like the end of the semester and you have three finals the next day. Some of you might have no problem with that, but others of you might be freaking out at the thought because you have no less than opened up your textbook except to tell your mom on the phone that you were studying – all because you can’t tell a lie. So what do you do? You get a trenti mochaccinno with three extra shots of espresso, and you head to the library, hoping to God they are open for 24 hours.
Thankfully I was the former rather than the latter – about 75% of the time.
But for real, get your pots and pans out, get to the store before they run out of your favorite ingredients – it’s about to get a little crazy.
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And I’m totally joking. It’s not crunch time yet. Thanksgiving is still ten days away.
I thought I would freak you out a little bit though because now at least it’s on your mind and you know exactly what would happen to you if you were to be one of those last minute party planning people. However, now that you have been warned, I know that will never happen to you.
You’re welcome.
So what is everyone making for Thanksgiving this year? Or.. maybe you’re one of those lucky people that get to just show up and eat all sorts of delicious food that someone else slaved over a hot stove and oven for you for at least eight hours. I hope you at least say thank you. If you don’t, I might have to come hunt you down and pull your ear until you spit those words out. We use manners around here, folks.
Maybe you’re one of those people who have to host your family, and you’re not really looking forward to Great Aunt Agatha coming over and criticizing your sweet potato casserole for the fourteenth year in a row. That’s a tough life, and I’m not one to fully support drugging others, but I bet she would like her gin and tonic a little bit on the heavy side this year. She’ll be sleeping in a pile of those sweet potatoes before she can even say a word.
You’re welcome.
If you’re not looking forward to making Thanksgiving dinner, I’m so sorry. And if you’d like, I’ll come over and make it for you. Really – I will! I love making Thanksgiving food. Mainly because I get to taste test at least ten bites per dish – it’s a rule in my kitchen. I won’t even make you pay me in dollars. Instead, you can feel free to pay me in hanging up my laundry. Because if I am one hundred percent honest with you, I spent about thirty minutes hanging up clean clothes because they have all been sitting on the guest room bed for at least the last three rounds of laundry duty. I thought I needed to go out shopping – nope! All I needed to do was make a trip to Charlie’s bedroom.
I’m one of those lucky folks that get to bring a side dish to Thanksgiving.
Oh.. and veganize and make everything gluten free for my mom and me. No. Big. Deal.
In fact, this will be my third year doing this, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The thought of not having stuffing, mashed potatoes, or broccoli casserole is absolutely devastating. So I put on my big girl pants and beg my aunt to help me. Works like a charm every time.
But for my side dish I am bringing to the Husband’s family’s Thanksgiving, I thought I would give it a test run – you know, because I don’t want to have another apple crisp fail again.
No failure this time around.
Maple Roasted Squash Rounds with Rosemary![]()
Serves: 2-3
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: <10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Ready In: ~40 minutes
- 1 acorn squash
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tbsp. maple syrup
- 1 tbsp. rosemary
- salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Using a sharp knife, carefully slice acorn squash width wise (starting with the stem) into 1/4-1/2 inch thick slices.
- After your squash is sliced, use a spoon to scrape the insides of the squash rounds. Lay in a single layer on a greased baking sheet. Using a pastry brush, brush the 1 tbsp. olive oil onto the squash. Repeat this step with the maple syrup.
- Sprinkle on the rosemary, salt, and pepper and bake for 30 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Enjoy!
You’ll get another Thanksgiving reminder in T-7 days. I’ll let the panic ensue then.
You’re welcome.














{ 38 comments… read them below or add one }
Just Pinned this! Looks really tasty.
Thanks, Lisa!
In undergrad, I was the former rather than the latter. Now people in my grad program are like “YAY! Only three weeks until the semester is over!” And I’m thinking “NOOO! I have so much sh*t to to before then!”
So thanks for the panic-enducing reminder…and the delicious recipe
Oh gosh, I think I would be all over the place now as well. Good luck to you!
I’m glad we all have a Great Aunt Agatha in our lives
! I would say “yum” about this recipe but you already know that!
I need to start experimenting because if I don’t I’ll have a flop and be embarrassed. AND- making these would mean that I could roast some seeds CEC way!
Delish!
bringing a side dish..that’s the ticket girl!
these look great! Taste testing is a fun job to have
It’s definitely crunch time around here. I have 3 projects due in the next few weeks, and then after that it’s exam time ahhh! And I don’t even have Thanksgiving to look forward to! Maybe I’ll just have to celebrate it again (and make these squash rounds!).
Good luck! The next few weeks will fly by!
Haha I’m one of the lucky people who just shows up! My cousin went to culinary school and loves making Thanksgiving dinner for all of us!
Ahahahaah EFFF….end of the semester is so soon!!! Last night I couldn’t sleep cause idk why, so I made a food bucket list of sorts for thanksgiving break — all the things I want to eat when I’m finally home and can eat something real — and roasted squash was on it. Looks like I found my recipe!
The end of the semester will FLY!
I’m not hosting this year b/c there is currently a couch in my dining room (don’t ask) but, I am bringing 4 sides! That’s almost like hosting. In fact, I’m making more dishes than my mom who is hosting. In all fairness though she’s working the day before and after Thanksgiving so we’re trying to make it easier for her. My brother got the “squash” side on his list so I’m forwarding this to him!
I’m guessing there’s some sort of home renovation going on over there?
Ha, I wish! More like a husband who won’t bring it to his parent’s house after 6 months of asking so I got tired of it being in the room I converted to my office and moved it to the dining room hoping that would spur him to get rid of it. Joke’s on me apparently.
AHAHAH Totally sounds like something that would occur in my household. Hilarious.
you are an artist! beautiful creation!
http://planthappylife.blogspot.com/2011/11/thanksgiving-with-friends-2011-recipe.html
i’ll be making that pumpkin dip which you featured about two weeks ago (can’t remember its formal name, so please pardon the informality of “dip.”).
and i also will prepare tofurkey and mashed potatoes as presented at this blogger’s site! i’m so excited!
AND i will also prepare alicia silverstone’s vegan peanut butter cups. they are my favourite.
i look forward to following your party planning updates over the next 10 days! x
Good luck with all your recipes! They sound delicious! (especially that dip
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I’ll be bringing a side dish to my boyfriend’s family’s Thanksgiving celebration and hopefully whipping up a fun after Thanksgiving dinner for my family that weekend.
Your squash rounds look delish. I LOVE baked squash.
Sounds like a busy weekend!
Looks fab! Gotta love the squash
yum looks delicious!
i’m in charge of the turkey and am scared.to.death.
Oh you’ll be fine! I heard someone on the radio this morning say that she cooks her turkey in the dishwasher. I wish I were joking.
I have to admit, I’m freaking out a bit about Thanksgiving. It’s my first time hosting, and cooking a turkey sounds harder than running a marathon. Okay – that might have been a bit over-dramatic, but I’m still really nervous about it.
You’ll be fabulous! Good luck!
I DO pretty much just get to show up and say thank you
It’s one of the (few) perks of living out of town and having to come in long distance for every holiday!
Lucky you!!
YUMMMMM!!! That looks great! yes, come cook for us. I am totally serious.
DROOLING.
Oh these look delicious. I’m totally one of those people that shows up late with the EASIEST thing on the list. ha ha ha! Keep posting away- No pressure here!
I need to get my hands on some acorn squash. DO you think it would work with butternut?
I would imagine so – just peel the butternut. No one likes his skin.
And I would forgive you – you’ve got your hands full!
This look delicious.
This looks delicious! I only have to make one dish to bring to Thanksgiving. If I brought this, I’m pretty sure I would be the only one to eat it. But then, that might not be such a terrible thing!
Oh man, I can’t believe Thanksgiving is so soon. I’m supposed to be cooking a vegan meal for my sister and I and I haven’t even compiled recipes yet!
Squash is so good right now! I love that they stay fresh for several months…not that it will last in the pantry that long. I just can’t get enough butternut squash, adding it to everything…frittata for breakfast, soup for lunch, and risotto for dinner. Okay, I’ve got to go cook something now, am inspired.
The squash looks delicious! I’ve never made acorn squash, only made butternut for the first time last week. I’ll have to grab myself an acorn squash.
This looks amazing – I’m bringing lots of veggie side dishes since I don’t eat turkey.
can i come to your thanksgiving?? i want to try these. ok, maybe ill just make them myself.
i am bringing a kale salad and vegan dessert to one of my thanksgivings. still unsure about the other.
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