I can’t believe Thanksgiving is less than a week away! If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably already planned your menu, but I wanted to share this tasty mashed potato recipe just in case you’re still looking for a way to mix things up a bit! It was inspired by one of the TV shows both my hubby and I enjoy watching together – Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations on the Travel Channel. When Tony had a show on Chile a few months ago, he devoured mashed potatoes with pumpkin, celery, and spinach in wine country – yum! They sounded so tasty that I actually immediately grabbed my laptop and wrote down the flavor combination.
I was really pleased about how well they turned out and I will definitely be making them again! I’m not a huge celery fan, but I do like fennel and I think it’s a nice substitute for celery. The pumpkin flavor really came through, but wasn’t overpowering, and I love that the greens were mixed right in for a little added nutritional boost!
Pumpkin Mashed Potatoes with Fennel and Spinach
Printable Recipe
Ingredients:
10 red potatoes, scrubbed and cut into chunks
1/2 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 bulb fennel, trimmed and finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 15-ounce cans pure pumpkin puree
1 10-ounce package frozen spinach, cooked and well drained
1 cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons salt
Directions:
Bring a large stockpot of water to a boil over high heat and boil potatoes for 18 to 22 minutes or until tender. Drain and place in a very large bowl.
Meanwhile, heat olive oil over medium high heat in a medium skillet and saute fennel for 6 to 8 minutes or until tender. Add garlic and saute one additional minute.
Mash potato chunks in the large bowl with a fork. Mix in fennel, pumpkin puree, spinach, buttermilk, and salt. Makes 8 servings.
Nutrition: 228 calories, 1.7g fat, 8.6g fiber, 7.4g protein per serving
Cost: $1.05 per serving
Cake, Batter, and Bowl features my original recipes for quick, healthy, and inexpensive weeknight meals and indulgent weekend treats. Enjoy!
Oh yum! This would be a great side dish to have/make for Thanksgiving. I love how you can just watch a tv show, get inspired and recreate that recipe. Great job! I love the colors in this dish, too. It’s so fall-esque and signifies comfort to me! Have a great weekend.
Mmm, I never would have thought to add pumpkin to mashed potatoes. interesting combo.
I want these! I could make a meal out of them.
I love the idea of pumpkin in mashed potatoes! With delicious veggies too
Maybe I’ll make this for Thanksgiving?
Oh what a unique way to serve potatoes, perfect for the holiday table..
Yet another way to enjoy pumpkin – yaaaay!
These look delicious! Great colors! I’m also not big on celery so I love the addition of fennel.
What a great way to dress up mashies – lovely!
These potatoes look amazing and such a fun, different way to shake up the standard mashed potato. Thanks for sharing!
This sounds perfect! What a fun way to use pumpkin, would have never thought of that!
atta way to put a thanksgiving twist on a classic side, kerstin–this is great! very colorful, too.
You make the most unique and delicious recipes! I just love these. Such delicious flavors! These beat regular old mashed potatoes anyday!
Such a fabulous idea! So creative, too – I never would have thought to combine pumpkin and mashed potatoes, but it sounds delicious! I love how the pumpkin and the greens give the mashed potatoes a great nutrient boost, too – AWESOME!!
These sound fantastic. I love mixing things like apples and parsnips with potatoes for a more interesting flavor profile and these sound like they would be amazing as well. The inclusion of fennel is interesting because to be honest, I’m not sure I’ve ever paired it with pumpkin before.
oh wow, definitely a fantastic recipe! i don’t care for raw fennel, but cooked is another story
This is a unique combination. Pumpkin and mashed potato..
Isn’t Anthony Bourdain awesome? I trust his taste in food implicitly.
I hate celery also, great use of fennel as a substitute. And much more seasonal!
I am addicted to fennel bulb. This dish win my heart!
This sounds too, too good! Love the combination of ingredients!!
This is really, really interesting! I wouldn’t ever have thought that pumpkin and fennel would work well together.
Oh my word, I must make this! Thanks for the recipe
This sounds so delicious. Way to boost the nutritional value of mashed potatoes! They are so pretty, too!
Really cool idea to add pumpkin to the potatoes… a little vitamin never hurt anyone. Plus that color is sooooo much better
Or if you’re like me, you haven’t narrowed down the menu at all! Love the combo of flavors in this dish!
Brilliant! These look wonderful, and will surely make an appearance on our plates between now and December. I love that you added fennel, too. I tend to think anything savory is improved with a bit of fennel.
I can actually comment!!! This looks amazing- I love all of the fun mix ins. Such a great and unique thanksgiving recipe
I’ve added spinach to my mash potatoes and loved it. I like pumpkin so why not! Good call on leaving out the celery.
~ingrid
Wow. You’re really rolling with the pumpkin theme, Kerstin! This is yet another fantastic remake! YUM!
What a fantastic mashed potato makeover! I love the addition of pumpkin and fennel here!
This dish is like my dream come true!! I’m not a HUGE potato fan, but if you throw in some pumpkin, fennel, and spinac, I’m ALL over that!!
Love the flavor combos, I definitely want to try this soon.
Thanks everyone! Glad to know I’m not the only one that avoids celery
Jenn – I’m with you on adding fennel to savory dishes!
Erica – Yay, finally
This is such a gorgeous dish. I would be honored if you would submit the recipe to our December’s BATTLE FENNEL and participate in the fun!
Please click here for more details: http://tiny.cc/ySuy6
Yum! Anything mashed with potatoes or pumpkin–count me in!
I made this and it was a great success. The flavors blended well looked nice together. Thanks for sharing this so I could make it.
Chaya – Yay, I’m so glad you enjoyed them! Thanks for taking to the time to let me know
What a great dish! So inventive!