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Pumpkin Spice Zucca with Apple Butter & Pork Chops

Serving Size: 4-6
Prep Time:  2 Hours, 30 Minutes
Cook Time: 45 Minutes
Total Time:  3 Hours, 15 Minutes

Ingredients:

1 lb. Pappardelle’s Pumpkin Spice Zucca
4 boneless pork chops
1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 crisp apples, peeled, cored & sliced into 8 pieces
1 cup apple butter
1/2 cup water
2 Tbsp. whole-grain mustard
1 tsp. dried rosemary
1/2 tsp. dried sage
Salt & pepper, to taste

Apple Butter:

5 sweet apples, cored & coarsely chopped
½ cup apple juice (or apple cider)
¼ cup granulated sugar
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
¼ cup packed light brown sugar
¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
Pinch of ground cloves
Pinch of salt

Instructions: 

  1. Place apple pieces and cores in a large saucepan along with apple juice, granulated sugar and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and cook apples until they begin to soften and fall apart, about 20-25 minutes. Remove from heat and discard cores.
  2. Blend softened apples in a food processor until smooth.
  3. Return apple puree to saucepan and set over medium-low heat. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Gently simmer, stirring frequently, until apple butter is thick enough to hold its shape on a spoon. Transfer to a jar and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
  4. Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling water, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  5. Season pork chops with salt & pepper. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook pork chops until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove from heat. 
  6. Whisk apple butter, 1/2 cup water and mustard in a small bowl.
  7. In the same skillet over medium heat, add onion, apple slices, rosemary, and sage. Cook, stirring frequently, until onion soften, about 3-4 minutes.
  8. Add apple butter liquid to the pan and bring to a simmer, reducing by half, about 10 minutes. 
  9. Add pasta and stir until fully coated. 
  10. Divide the pasta into serving dishes and top with pork chops. Serve and enjoy!

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