Delicious Halloween Stew with Pork and Butternut Squash

Enjoy a spooktacular Halloween with this delicious and flavorful stew! Made with tender pork, hearty butternut squash, and a harmonious blend of spices, this stew is the perfect dish to warm your bones on a chilly Halloween night. With a prep time of just 30 minutes, you'll have plenty of time to dress up and get ready for trick-or-treating. This stew will delight both kids and adults alike with its comforting taste and eerie presentation.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless pork shoulder, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into cubes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup apple cider
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
2. Add the pork shoulder and cook until browned on all sides. Remove the pork from the pot and set aside.
3. In the same pot, add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the garlic, carrots, and celery, and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
5. Return the pork to the pot and add the butternut squash, peas, chicken broth, apple cider, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, dried rosemary, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
6. Stir everything together, then bring the stew to a boil.
7. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the pork is tender and the butternut squash is cooked through.
8. Remove the bay leaf and adjust the seasoning if needed.
9. Serve the Halloween stew hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

Interesting Facts