Savory Pumpkin Bites with Green Chile Aioli

This time of year, we can’t seem to have enough pumpkin recipes, so today’s featured recipe in 30 Days of Vegan Cooking adds another one for your consideration.  I present Recipe #16 from the Revised Edition of Vegan Planet: Savory Pumpkin Bites with Green Chile Aioli. 

Pumpkin, walnuts, and sage combine to give these tasty bites a rich depth of flavor. But it’s the accompanying green chile aioli that sends them over the top.  You can shape them into small 1-inch balls or flatten them a bit into small 2-bite patties.

 

Savory Pumpkin Bites with Green Chile Aioli

from Vegan Planet by Robin Robertson

Serves 4

 

 Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil or 1/4 cup water

1/2 cup chopped onion

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage

1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

3/4 cup finely ground walnuts

2/3 cup canned solid-pack or pure pumpkin puree

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Green Chile Aioli (recipe follows)

 

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray and set aside. Heat the oil or water in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, cover, and cook for 5 minutes to soften. Uncover, stir in the garlic and sage, and cook until the liquid is absorbed, about 1 minute longer. Set aside.

 

2. In a food processor, process the oats to a powder. Add the walnuts, pumpkin, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Add the reserved onion mixture and process until well combined. Shape the mixture into 1 to 1 1/2-inch balls (or flatten them into patties) and transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Bake until firm and the bottoms are golden brown, about 15 minutes. Serve with the aioli.

 

 Green Chile Aioli

from Vegan Planet by Robin Robertson

Makes about 3/4 cup

 This easy and flavorful aioli is fabulous with the pumpkin bites, but can also be slathered onto sandwiches or used as a dipping sauce for vegetables or baked tofu.

 

Ingredients

1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise, homemade or purchased

2 garlic cloves, crushed

2 tablespoons fresh lemon or lime juice

2 tablespoons finely minced mild canned green chiles

1 teaspoon green Tabasco sauce

Salt and pepper to taste

 

Directions

Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Taste and adjust the seasonings, if needed. Serve with the pumpkin bites.