Vegetarian Christmas Cracker Starters #Christmas

I'm not a large fan of Christmas crackers. There, I’ve stated it. I haven’’t grown up with them and i’m now not as amused by the cheesy jokes and flimsy paper hats as anyone else appears to be. nevertheless, they have turn out to be a part of our Christmas lifestyle, my kids being specifically fond of them.

One Christmas ‘cracker’ i have numerous time for is that this festive starter, –a recipe I got here up with to serve to vegetarian buddies one Christmas which has now turn out to be a firm favourite. It’s pretty flexible –and may be served as a canapé, a starter or, if made a bit bigger, as a filling main route. you could additionally range the components to encompass meat, if you like, however that is one vegetarian dish that even meat lovers find irresistible.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 500g butternut squash, peeled and cut into small cubes
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp honey
• 200g blanched almonds
• 100g shelled pistachios
• 200g feta cheese, cut into small cubes
• 200g hummus (shop-bought or homemade)
• 50g dried cranberries
• A little ground cinnamon to dust 
• Kitchen string to tie the crackers 
• 24 sheets phyllo (filo) pastry
• Olive oil to brush the pastry, as needed
• Salt and pepper to season

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 180C (160C fan). upload 2 tbsp olive oil to a roasting pan with and toss the squash so that is is protected. Drizzle with 2 tbsp honey and sprinkle with the cumin seeds. Season with salt and pepper and roast in the oven for 20 minutes or till tender. put off from the oven and set apart to chill barely.
2. kind of chop the almonds, pistachios and cranberries and put in a large bowl together with the feta and hummus. add the squash and 1 tbsp honey and blend collectively thoroughly. check the seasoning and upload salt and pepper if essential.
3. reduce the phyllo sheets in order that they’re square. hold any pastry you aren't the use of blanketed with a humid tea towel otherwise it’ll dry out. vicinity one phyllo sheet for your worktop and brush with olive oil. location a second sheet on top and brush with oil. add the 0.33 sheet on pinnacle of the alternative two. area approximately 3 tbsp of filling alongside the bottom fringe of your phyllo square leaving a gap either facet.
4. Roll into a cigar form and brush alongside the pinnacle area with olive oil to seal. Pinch the rims to form the ‘cracker’ and tie them with a small piece of kitchen string.
5. Line a huge tray with baking paper and place the crackers on it spaced slightly apart. Brush with olive oil.
6. Bake for half-hour or till golden.