Change up traditional corn succotash for the fall with the addition of butternut squash seasoned with garlic, thyme, and Dijon mustard vinaigrette.

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We may be two days away from November but we are still hitting the 80s and high 70s here in central Ohio. As such, I still haven’t fully embraced the usual fall comfort foods. I went head first into Halloween for sure, but my seasonal maturation stopped there. I could happily stay here for a long time.

But it’s Holiday Side Dish week so I am forcing myself to make content for the next holiday on the list. Many people may have a set list of traditional recipes that they must make every year. I am not that person. I like to play and experiment with my holiday recipes just as much as I do the rest of the year. So if you also fall into that category, or there’s a dish you just don’t like and want an alternative, we are here for you.

Since I enjoy a good theme, the Thanksgiving menu I pulled inspiration from this year is Southern BBQ because the year we got a smoked turkey breast for Thanksgiving was my absolute favorite. I started you off with smoked macaroni and cheese, sharing a harvest butternut squash edamame corn succotash today, and will end with chipotle cornbread on Friday. But leave room for dessert such as a ritz pie or easy apple dumplings.

This recipe is one I have been dreaming about ever since I first tried it in 2015. I was attending a catered event with the Ohio Poultry Association and this was one of the many recipes they shared with us – the same event where I got the recipes for bacon wrapped turkey breast and chocolate deviled eggs!

What struck me about this recipe is that while traditionally succotash is primarily corn (the name was derived from a word that roughly translates to “broken corn kernels”), this recipe is mostly butternut squash. Corn is still present along with edamame as an alternative to Lima beans, but since corn season is at its end I appreciate the use of butternut squash for fall. Add a little red onion, garlic, thyme, and a quick mustard vinaigrette and you have a tasty harvest succotash.

Harvest Succotash Ingredients.

• Butternut squash
• Red onion
• Corn
• Edamame
• Dijon mustard
• White wine vinegar
• Garlic
• Fresh thyme
• Salt and pepper

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• Molasses Cornbread by Shockingly Delicious
• Honey Garlic Sweet Potatoes by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
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• Pork Tenderlion Steak In Goan Masala – Keto by Sneha’s Recipe

HARVEST SUCCOTASH

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Yield: 6-8 Servings Prep Time: 15 Cooking Time: 40 Minutes 40 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 1 (2-3lb.) butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 medium red onion peeled and chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
• 2 large sprigs of fresh thyme
• 1 cup of whole kernel corn
• 6 oz. of shelled edamame
• 1-1/2 Tbsp white wine vinegar
• 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a large bowl, toss squash with 1/2 tablespoon olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a large rimmed baking sheet and roast in oven for 15 minutes, stirring once half way through.
2. Meanwhile in the same bowl, toss red onion with 1/2 tablespoon olive oil. After 15 minutes of roasting, add to squash and roast an additional 15-20 minutes stirring once half way through (or until squash is tender).
3. Meanwhile in a medium sauce pan over medium heat, add remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add garlic, thyme and 1/4 teaspoon of salt and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minutes. Add corn and edamame and cook another 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat.
4. In a small bowl whisk together vinegar and mustard; set aside.
5. When the butternut squash and red onion are done roasting, add corn and edamame mixture to the pan. Drizzle with mustard vinaigrette, stir to coat, then roast a final 5 minutes. Remove thyme stem, season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.

Source: Adapted from a recipe that Sidecar Global Catering (now A Catered Event) shared in 2015 at an Ohio Poultry Association event.

This edamame guacamole tastes very similar to guacamole with all the same seasonings and mix-ins, but without using avocados. Plus the added bonus that it’s healthier for you.

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I love avocados. When I was in Belize I thought I would be able to get some local avocados. However, not only were they out of season (we went at the end of rainy season) but they are not as easy to acquire as they are in the US even when they are in season.

On top of that I recently learned they are an unsustainable fruit.

Unfortunately these deliciously creamy avocados have an enormous carbon footprint, require 320 litres of water each to grow and are often unaffordable for people indigenous to the areas in which they are grown. Additionally, these communities are running into additional problems including deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and water shortages – which means that they don’t even have enough water for hygiene.

While there really isn’t a great substitute for fresh sliced avocados or their derivatives commonly used in gluten-free and vegan baking (avocado oil and avocado butter), some restaurants are starting to offer alternatives to an avocado-based guacamole. It’s not substitute, but if seasoned right it could be an acceptable alternative given the circumstances.

So I decided to try it out for myself. All I really did was add guacamole seasoning, cilantro, tomato, red onion, and jalapeno to my edamame dip recipe. Then I brought it to a potluck to test it on others. The general consensus (and nearly empty bowl) was that it tasted pretty damn good. Not quite the same flavor or texture but still enjoyed by all. There was even an avocado-based guacamole on the side to compare!

One year ago: Buckeye Macaron Cake

Three years ago: Purple Sweet Potato Pie

Four years ago: Daytrip to Athens, Ohio

Five years ago: Salted Caramel Apple Cider Bliss

Six years ago: Peanut Butter Turtle Cookie Cups

Seven years ago: Breakfast Nachos with Greek Yogurt Hollandaise Sauce

Eight years ago: Pumpkin Baklava Bars

Nine years ago: Baked Purple Sweet Potato Doughnuts with Marshmallow Glaze

Ten years ago: Gluten-Free Cake Batter Pancakes

EDAMAME GUACAMOLE (NO AVOCADO)

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Yield: 8 servings Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cooking Time: 2 Minutes 2 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 2 cups frozen, shelled edamame
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves
• 2 Tbsp plain Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped tomato
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 1/2 jalapeno pepper, seeded (optional)

Directions

1. In a small saucepan add the edamame. Cover with 2-inches of water. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes or until tender. Drain and set aside to cool.
2. Once cooled, place 3/4 of the edamame, garlic, cilantro, and yogurt in a food processor. Pulse 10 times or until coarsely ground. Add water, oil, lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, cayenne, and salt and pepper. Process until smooth. Add reserved edamame and pulse until just combined.
3. Transfer to a bowl, fold in the tomato, red onion, and jalapeno. Serve with chips, crackers or veggies.

Source: Adapted from Nutty Edamame Dip and Guacamole Seasoning.

Did you make this recipe? I want to see! Tag @THESPIFFYCOOKIE on Instagram and hashtag it #THESPIFFYCOOKIE

If you are into college football then you are as excited as I am about tomorrow! Well you may be more excited than I am actually because upon hearing of the injury of the Ohio State QB’s shoulder I deflated a bit. However, that won’t stop me from watching all the games I can lay my eyes on and whipping up appetizers and desserts made of peanut butter and chocolate. Which means for the next several weeks PB+Choc Saturdays are back! Even if you don’t like college football you can appreciate from peanut butter and chocolate goodness. But that’s tomorrow.

Being the day before the game I decided it was a good time to post an appetizer recipe. Maybe I’ll make it a thing, “App Friday”. The first dip up for grabs is one that reminds me of hummus but instead of pureed chick peas it is edamame which creates a pretty green color. Different flavor of course, but just as versatile of a spread/dip. Chips, veggies, crackers, whatever you can find to scoop it up!

One year ago: Gnocchi, Sweet Corn & Arugula in Cream Sauce

Two years ago: Reese’s Peanut Butter Oatmeal Breakfast Cookie

Three years ago: Almond Berry Overnight Slow Cooker Oatmeal

NUTTY EDAMAME DIP

Serves 8

Ingredients:

2 cups frozen, shelled edamame

2 garlic cloves

1/4 cup packed fresh basil leaves

2 Tbsp toasted pine nuts

2 Tbsp plain reduced fat Greek yogurt (I used 2% Chobani)

1/4 cup water

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

1/2 tsp lemon zest

3/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan add the edamame. Cover with 2-inches of water. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes or until tender. Drain and set aside to cool.
2. Once cooled, place edamame, garlic, basil, pine nuts, and yogurt in a food processor. Pulse 10 times or until coarsely ground. Add water, oil, lemon juice and zest, and salt and pepper. Process until almost smooth.
3. Serve with chips, crackers or veggies.

Source: Adapted slightly from Cooking Light, April 2014.

It actually is easy being green if you are these spicy edamame burgers. Blend up in your food processor, shape into patties, then grill and top like you would your favorite burger.

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To say my weekend was eventful is an understatement, even for a birthday weekend.

Friday night I watched the Grizzlies beat the Clippers and advance into the second round with a couple friends. I even brought along my giant margarita glass that I haven’t used since my 22nd birthday (6 years ago) and we all had a good time taking turns drinking that mammoth beverage.

Saturday I went to see Iron Man 3, and had dinner and drinks with friends. I didn’t lay myself down into my own bed until almost 5am. Needless to say I slept in until about 1pm on Sunday and still managed to get my butt in gear for the final day of Beale Street Music Fest.

Today, my energy stores are pretty low and I anticipate many early to bed evenings this week to recharge. A good dose of healthy food probably won’t hurt either after all the dessert and other ridiculousness I consumed this weekend as well.

I know that I may have scared a few of you already with the green tortilla chip coated chicken I shared last week, but I promise there’s nothing to be afraid of with these green edamame burgers either.

What is in spicy edamame burgers?

• Shelled edamame
• White onion
• Garlic
• Cilantro
• Bread crumbs
• Egg
• Red pepper flakes
• Salt + pepper

These spicy edamame burgers are full of flavor and also surprisingly filling. My favorite part about them is not needing to shove my hands into raw meat! Don’t get me wrong I adore a full on meat patty, but trying to turn on the faucet and dispense soap in order to clean off your hands, all without contaminating other surfaces is an awkward task.

I also appreciate that they aren’t as squishy as many vegetarian burger patties tend to be. Which means I could top them with my usual suspects without worrying they’d all fall out. And then of course I served these healthy yes spicy edamame burgers with a side of baked brown sugar fries.

Want more veggie burgers?

• BBQ Black Bean-Quinoa Burgers
• Chipotle Quinoa Burgers
• Eggplant Veggie Burgers
• Spicy Black Bean Burgers
• Sweet Potato Burgers

SPICY EDAMAME BUGERS

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Yield: 4 servings

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup chopped white onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 15 oz. shelled edamame, cooked and roughly chopped
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/3 cup bread crumbs
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (or more to taste)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• Generous sprinkle of pepper
• 4 toasted burger buns
• Desired toppings

Directions

1. In a food processor, blend together onion, garlic, 2/3 of the edamame, cilantro, 1/2 of the bread crumbs, egg, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper until a thick paste forms.
2. In a medium bowl combine this paste with the remaining edamame and bread crumbs. Fold together until just combined and then form 4 patties. Wrap in plastic and freeze them for later or cook them immediately.
3. To cook, heat a little olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Lightly dredge the patty in flour. Cook in the oil until warmed through and crispy on both sides.
4. Serve on toasted buns with your favorite toppings.

Source: Adapted slightly from A Beautiful Mess.

Post updated 7/7/2024, photo above is the original.