Sometimes I have a Grinch moment, and I think “healthy seasonal food in the winter is ugly, and boring, and difficult, and time-consuming to prepare.” But I know that’s not the truth. Many traditional favorites do rely on truckloads of sugar in various forms to liven them up (pumpkin pie, pecan pie, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes loaded with marshmallows) but there’s beauty and ease and nourishment to be found in real seasonal food during the winter months, too. This Duck Bacon Winter Hash pairs duck bacon’s rich depth of flavor with the warm vegetal umami of mushrooms, the subtle sweetness of winter squash, and the bright tartness of cranberries for a comforting result that’s festive enough for the holiday table.
The duck bacon is D’Artagnan, by the way. I was previously aware of D’Artagnan as an early proponent of humanely-raised, antibiotic, and hormone-free organic meat, and after sampling the duck bacon I was curious to know more about their philosophy. D’Artagnan is committed to free-range, natural production and sustainable, humane farming practices. The company partners only with small farms and ranches that have strict standards, never use antibiotics or hormones, and sign affidavits to that effect. D’Artagnan’s mission and practices are a fit with my own, and I’m happy to share my winter hash with you featuring their duck bacon!
Duck Bacon Winter Hash
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Total Time: 50 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 4 oz duck bacon
- 1 lb delicata squash
- 2 tbsp coconut oil, divided (if necessary)
- 1 lb mushrooms
- 1 cup cranberries
- 1 cup pecans
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- In a dry skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy then remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Slice the delicata squash open lengthwise, and scrape out the seeds with a spoon. Slice each squash half into half-moons about 1/4 – 1/2 inch thick. Cook in a single layer in the hot bacon fat for 2-4 minutes on each side, in batches if necessary, until browned and soft. Remove and set aside.
- Add a tablespoon of coconut oil or other fat of choice if the skillet is dry, then cook the cranberries in the bacon fat, stirring occasionally, for 3-5 minutes until beginning to split and soften. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- While the cranberries cook, load the mushrooms and cooked bacon into a food processor and pulse to a fine shred. Alternatively, dice very finely. When the cranberries have been removed from the skillet, add the second tablespoon of coconut oil if the skillet is too dry and cook the mushroom and bacon mixture with the salt and pepper until soft, reduced in size, and beginning to render moisture. Add the cooked delicata squash and cooked cranberries back to the skillet and toss to combine. Chop the pecans (or pulse in a food processor) and add to the hash along with the thyme and toss to combine. Remove from the heat and set aside for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld, then serve warm.
The Comments
Candy
Sound delicious. Thanks for sharing.
Grok Grub
Candy❤️❤️❤️
Chrissa - Physical Kitchness
Any hash with cranberries is my kind of hash!! This looks amazing Rachel You’ve I would have never thought to combine duck bacon with all these seasonal ingredients! Well done.
Grok Grub
Chrissa – Physical KitchnessYep, it was a tad experimental but I’m very pleased with how it turned out> 🙂
Kimberly Bonham
Yummy! This looks so delicious!
Rowan
I have NEVER heard of duck bacon, but now I need some! Thanks for the recipe – I have pinned it. Looks AMAZING!
Kathryn With Going Zero Waste
I love duck. This looks so fabulous. There’s a restaurant I want to go to in Portland ME called duck fat. Everything is fried in duck fat… yummmmm.
Grok Grub
Kathryn With Going Zero WasteWow, that is an AWESOME concept for a restaurant!
April Ray
Wow! that looks scrumptious!! Now I’m hungry! Great post, thank you for sharing!
★★★★★
Grok Grub
April RayYay, give it a try!
Angie
YUM. That sounds really good.
chantelle
You can make bacon from duck!? Blown away, and wow what a great giveaway!
Grok Grub
chantelleYes, it’s a wonderful world. Duck bacon ftw!
Alicia
This looks – and sounds – absolutely delicious! I’ve never had duck bacon before so will definitely have to give it a try this holiday! Thanks for sharing!
Grain-Free Weekly Meal Plan 1/4 - 1/9 - Real Food Outlaws
[…] – Duck Bacon Winter Hash (use turkey or pork […]
90 Nourishing, Egg-Free Breakfasts — Traditional Cooking School by GNOWFGLINS
[…] Duck Bacon Winter Hash […]
Real Food Round Up: Squash Recipes | Popular Paleo
[…] Duck Bacon Winter Hash from Fresh Planet Flavor (pictured) […]
Eco-Friendly Foodie's Holiday Gift Guide | Fresh Planet Flavor
[…] post, rather than give you suggestions for holiday recipes (although, may I quickly recommend DUCK BACON WINTER HASH and WINTER WONDERLAND HOT MILK CAKE), I want to share with you some of my […]