Mashed Swedes with Ginger-Roasted Pears

Servings 8 to 10

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 kg Swedes, peeled, cut into 2.5cm  cubes

  • Nonstick vegetable oil spray

  • 1 ½  tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

  • 1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger

  • 1 ½  teaspoons sugar

  • 3 firm pears (about 800g), peeled, cored, cut into 2cm cubes

  • Slice one extra pear and roast it (with the cubes) to use as garnish

  • 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

  • 5 tablespoons butter

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

  • Coarse salt

Method:

Cook swedes in pot of boiling salted water until tender, about 35 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat oven to 200°c. Spray large rimmed baking sheet with non-stick spray. Combine oil, lemon juice, ginger, and sugar in large bowl. Add pears; toss to coat. Spread on prepared sheet. Roast until tender, turning pears every 10 minutes, about 35 minutes total.

Drain swedes; return to same pot. Mash to coarse puree. Stir over medium heat until excess moisture evaporates, 5 minutes. Add cream, butter, and thyme. Mix in pears and any juices from baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper.

DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Transfer to microwave-safe bowl. Cover; chill. Rewarm at 1-minute intervals.