Recipe: Roasted Vegetable and Sage Strudel

Serves 8.

Note: This showy strudel gives the meatless diner a burnished and buttery centerpiece dish that can be carved at the table in place of a turkey. Because puff pastry varies in size, you can either make one large roll or two smaller rolls, depending on the brand you use. From Robin Asbell.

• 2 large onions, chopped

• 3 large parsnips, peeled and cubed (4 c.)

• 2 large carrots, cubed (2 c.)

• 1 1/2 c. cubed sweet potato

• 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 1/2 tsp. salt

• 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

• 1/2 c. chopped parsley

• 1/2 c. pecan halves or 1 1/2 c. (4 oz.) Cheddar cheese, shredded

• 2 (about 1-lb.) pkg. puff pastry, thawed

• Kale, slivered and tossed with olive oil and salt, for garnish

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Combine onions, parsnips, carrots and sweet potato in a large roasting pan and drizzle with olive oil. Add the sage, salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Cover the pan tightly with foil, then roast for 25 minutes. Uncover and stir, then cover again for 20 minutes. Let cool. Transfer to a storage container and refrigerate overnight, or proceed.

When the vegetables are cooled, add the parsley and either the pecans or cheese.

Line a sheet pan (preferably one with no rim) with parchment paper. Return the oven to 400 degrees.

Chill the roll while you cut the decorations. Whisk the egg with a teaspoon of water and get a pastry brush. If you are going vegan, whisk the agave and nondairy milk and use that instead.

Place a sheet of pastry on the floured counter and use a sharp paring knife to cut 8 simple oval leaf shapes about 2 1/2 inches long and 3/4 of an inch across. Use the tip of the knife to incise the veins of the leaf in each one.

Take the pastry roll out of the refrigerator and brush with egg. Place the leaves on top of the roll, as if they are draped across it. (Space them so you can slice the strudel between the leaves for 8 servings.) Brush with more egg. You can re-wrap and freeze the remaining puff pastry for another use.

If you have 1 large strudel, bake for about 45 to 50 minutes. With 2 smaller strudels, bake them for about 40 minutes, until the pastry is deep golden brown and puffed. (If you underbake, the pastry will deflate and become soggy.)

Let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a large platter. Garnish with sage or slivered kale that has been tossed with a little olive oil and salt.

Calories610Fat39 gSodium680 mg

Carbohydrates58 gSaturated fat8 gTotal sugars8 g

Protein9 gCholesterol18 mgDietary fiber7 g