Turkey Jack-O-Lantern: A Spooktacularly Delicious Halloween Treat

These stuffed jack-o-latern bell peppers are a fun and festive way to enjoy a healthy meal. They make a tasty addition to your Halloween menu since they’re packed with ground turkey, zucchini, and a variety of savory spices. Tasty Team.

As Halloween approaches, our minds turn to spooky decorations, costumes, and of course, delicious treats. This year, why not combine the fun of carving pumpkins with the deliciousness of a hearty meal? Introducing the Turkey Jack-O-Lantern, a festive and flavorful twist on the classic stuffed pepper.

This recipe takes the familiar comfort of ground turkey and rice filling and transforms it into a playful and eye-catching centerpiece for your Halloween table. The orange bell peppers, carved with whimsical jack-o-lantern faces, become edible bowls brimming with savory goodness.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

  • Festive and Fun: The jack-o-lantern design adds a playful touch to your Halloween dinner, making it a hit with kids and adults alike.
  • Savory and Delicious: The filling is packed with flavor, thanks to the combination of ground turkey, rice, beans, and aromatic spices.
  • Easy to Make: This recipe requires minimal prep time and comes together quickly, leaving you more time to enjoy the spooky festivities.
  • Healthy and Hearty: The use of lean ground turkey, whole grains, and vegetables makes this dish a satisfying and nutritious meal.
  • Versatile: Feel free to customize the filling with your favorite ingredients or adjust the spiciness to your liking.

Ingredients:

  • 8 medium orange bell peppers
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 pound ground turkey (or ground chicken or beef)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked rice (or cooked cauliflower rice)
  • 1 (15-oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15-oz) can tomato sauce
  • 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 tablespoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).
  2. Prepare the peppers: Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the ribs and seeds. Using a small paring knife, carefully carve jack-o-lantern faces on one side of each pepper. Place the peppers in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  3. Cook the filling: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the ground turkey (or ground chicken or beef) and minced garlic. Cook for 7-10 minutes, breaking apart the meat with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, until browned.
  4. Combine the ingredients: Stir in the cooked rice, black beans, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the rice starts to absorb the sauce. (This will happen faster with cauliflower rice.) Remove from heat.
  5. Assemble the jack-o-lanterns: Scoop a heaping amount of the rice filling into each pepper. Top each with an equal amount of shredded cheese.
  6. Bake: Pour 1 1/2 cups of water in the bottom of the baking dish. Bake, uncovered, for 10 minutes, or until the cheese melts and the peppers begin to soften.
  7. Serve and enjoy! Your spooky and delicious Turkey Jack-O-Lanterns are ready to be devoured.

Tips:

  • Get creative with the carving: You can carve your jack-o-lanterns with any design you like, from simple faces to spooky grins.
  • Add extra veggies: Feel free to add other chopped vegetables to the filling, such as zucchini, carrots, or peas.
  • Make it vegetarian: Replace the ground turkey with two 15-oz cans of beans for a vegetarian option.
  • Prep ahead: You can prepare the filling and carve the peppers ahead of time and assemble them just before baking.
  • Serve with your favorite sides: Enjoy your Turkey Jack-O-Lanterns with a side of mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a simple salad.

Additional Resources:

This Halloween, ditch the sugary treats and opt for a fun and festive meal that’s both delicious and nutritious. The Turkey Jack-O-Lantern is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, and it’s a great way to get into the spooky spirit. So grab your carving tools, gather your ingredients, and get ready to create a memorable Halloween feast.

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Turkey Jack O’Lantern Time Lapse

FAQ

Are Jack O lanterns for Thanksgiving?

In North America In the United States, the carved pumpkin was first associated with the harvest season in general before it became a symbol of Halloween. In 1895, an article on Thanksgiving entertaining recommended giving a lit jack-o’-lantern as a child’s prize in Thanksgiving games.

What country did the jack-o-lantern myth come from?

The jack-o’-lantern has a long history with Halloween, although our favorite demonic faces haven’t always been carved out of pumpkins. Their origin comes from an Irish myth about Stingy Jack, who tricked the Devil for his own monetary gain.

What does the jack-o-lantern symbolize?

Jack O’Lanterns Origin In Ireland and Scotland, people began to make their own versions of Jack’s lanterns by carving scary faces into turnips and placing them into windows or near doors to frighten away Stingy Jack and other wandering evil spirits.

What’s the difference between a pumpkin and a jack-o-lantern?

Jack O’Lanterns, as they have become known, are a variety of pumpkin bred for carving. Pie pumpkins tend to be heavier with thicker skin, while carving pumpkins are bred for thinner skin and less meat, making it easier to carve. However, any pumpkin will work.

What is a jack o lantern?

A jack-o’-lantern in the shape of the Wikipedia logo. A jack-o’-lantern (or jack o’lantern) is a carved lantern, most commonly made from a pumpkin, or formerly a root vegetable such as a mangelwurzel, rutabaga or turnip. Jack-o’-lanterns are associated with the Halloween holiday.

How do you make a jack o lantern?

To make a jack-o’-lantern, the top of a pumpkin is cut off to form a lid, the inside flesh is scooped out, and an image—usually a “scary” or “funny” face—is carved out of the rind exposing the hollow interior. A light source, traditionally a candle flame or tealight, is placed within before the lid is closed.

How do you cook Jack o lantern ribs?

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C). Cut the tops off the bell peppers. Remove the ribs and seeds from inside. Using a small paring knife, cut jack-o-lantern faces on one side of each pepper. Place peppers in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions.

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