Giada's Root Vegetable Stuffing

Name: Giada's Root Vegetable Stuffing
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 1 h 40 min
Total time: 2 h 10 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American Italian
Ingredients: 5 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, (at room temperature, (2 of the tablespoons cut into 1/2-inch pieces)); 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 4 medium carrots, (peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes); 3 medium parsnips, (peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes); 2 large leeks, (white and pale green parts only, thinly sliced); One 1-pound butternut squash, (halved, peeled, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch cubes); 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves; 1 teaspoon ground allspice; Two 6-ounce Granny Smith apples, (unpeeled, cored and cut into 1/2-inch cubes); Zest of 1 large lemon; 8- ounce loaf sourdough bread, (cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 6 cups)); 3 large eggs, (at room temperature, beaten); 1 1/4 cups 6 ounces dried cranberries; 1/4 cup frozen apple juice concentrate, (thawed); 3/4 cup vegetable stock; 5 ounces about 2/3 cup goat cheese, coarsely crumbled, optional

30 MINPrep Time

100 MINCook Time

8Servings

by Giada De Laurentiis

Beginner

Photo Credit: Elizabeth Newman

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One thing I always associate with (and love!) about fall food is all of the great sweet components in dishes. Butternut squash, cranberries - I always love how these flavors balance out seasonal autumn dishes.

In this root vegetable stuffing, I really showed my love for the sweet-and-savory elements of fall food. The star of this stuffing is the array of the root vegetables and apples, and the dried cranberries that I first plump up with a little apple juice. With leeks, vegetable broth and sourdough bread, it still feels like a savory side dish, but those sweet elements make it irrisistable.

I love this for Thanksgiving, because it sort of takes the role of cranberry sauce - a sweet, tangy foil to other decadent, rich Thanksgiving dishes.

Another fabulous part of this stuffing? Unlike many stuffings with bacon or sausage, this one is totally vegetarian.

Giada's Root Vegetable Stuffing

Giada's Root Vegetable Stuffing

Servings

Prep Time

30 minutes

Cook Time

100 minutes

Image of Giada's Root Vegetable Stuffing

Ingredients

5 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, (at room temperature, (2 of the tablespoons cut into 1/2-inch pieces))
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 medium carrots, (peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes)
3 medium parsnips, (peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes)
2 large leeks, (white and pale green parts only, thinly sliced)
One 1-pound butternut squash, (halved, peeled, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch cubes)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon ground allspice
Two 6-ounce Granny Smith apples, (unpeeled, cored and cut into 1/2-inch cubes)
Zest of 1 large lemon
8- ounce loaf sourdough bread, (cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 6 cups))
3 large eggs, (at room temperature, beaten)
1 1/4 cups 6 ounces dried cranberries
1/4 cup frozen apple juice concentrate, (thawed)
3/4 cup vegetable stock
5 ounces about 2/3 cup goat cheese, coarsely crumbled, optional

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 13- by 9- by 2-inch glass or ceramic baking dish with 1 tablespoon of the butter. Grease a 15- by 12-inch piece of foil with 1/2 tablespoon of the butter. Set aside.
In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil.
Add the carrots, parsnips, leeks, butternut squash, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook stirring frequently, until the vegetables start to soften, about 15 minutes. Add the remaining olive oil, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, the thyme, allspice, apples and lemon zest. Cook for 5 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and cool slightly.
In a large bowl, toss together the bread cubes and eggs until coated. Add the cranberries and apple juice concentrate. Add the vegetable mixture and toss to coat. Place the mixture in the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the remaining butter pieces on top. Pour the vegetable stock over the top and cover the baking dish with foil, buttered-side down. Bake for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake until the top is slightly crisp and brown in spots, 20 to 25 minutes longer. Let the stuffing rest 10 to 15 minutes. Sprinkle the goat cheese on top if using, and serve.
Cook’s Note: To clean leeks, slice lengthwise and run under water, making sure to get between the layers.