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Leftover Turkey or Chicken with Butternut Squash, Asparagus & Persimmons

November 28, 2015 by Mary 15 Comments

Leftover Turkey or Chicken with Butternut Squash, Asparagus and Persimmon - served up!

I made up this dish one recent Friday night with what I had on hand, when I was trying to convince my husband to eat a somewhat meatless meal, and I was just too tired to go shopping for something specific. It’s an odd combination. As I said, it was with what I had on hand. While I was making it, my husband was making all kinds of remarks about how weird this was gonna be and just guess who had seconds on this Leftover Turkey or Chicken with Butternut Squash, Asparagus and Persimmons dish?

So I wanted to share this with you today, because although I made this with chicken, surely this will be just as great, if not even better, with your leftover turkey. The key is to season your butternut squash. I actually used a curry spice mix from one of our previous MARY’s secret ingredients boxes, – Mz. Curri – but you can use a combination of curry powder, salt, pepper and some garam masala if you don’t have Mz. Curri around.

So while you’re roasting the squash and onions, tear up the poultry meat from the carcass (I also had a lone leg and used that meat too), give it a shot of heat in the microwave – not too much because the heat from the squash and asparagus will also warm the meat. And then steam your asparagus while you chop the persimmon and voila, fold and combine everything together and you are done – with deliciousness in your bowls – super quick and easy!! Serve it with some whole grain crackers, curl up in front of a fire or movie and you are DONE for the night!! So very simple but such a weird and great combo of flavors, textures and tastes.

I must admit, I have been on a persimmon kick for the past few weeks. They are in season now and last year, I was asked to give a speech at a benefit dinner for a non-profit that feeds the homeless that I have been involved with for many years. And the caterer (who incidentally catered one of our sons high school graduation parties when we lived in NJ – it was great to see her again) had served sliced persimmons on the cheese board and they were so delicious! Firm with an ever so slight crunch, super sweet and a beautiful orange color, I was sold!!

So here I am now, using them in everything, from main courses, to salads (coming up!) and in pasta dishes. They’re so versatile, different and delicious!! Go get some and use in my recipes and experiment on your own, with LOVE, and enjoy!!!

LEFTOVER TURKEY OR CHICKEN WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH, ASPARAGUS & PERSIMMONS – serves 4

Chicken or turkey meat pulled off of a carcass, plus the meat from one leg or whatever pieces you have leftover
½ of a large butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut in ½” chunks
1 medium onion, cut into ½” pieces
3 Tbs. olive oil – divided into 2 + 1
1 bunch of thin asparagus
Salt
Pepper
1 Tbs. Mz. Curri seasoning or 1 tsp. curry powder and 1 tsp. garam masala
2 persimmons, cored, sliced and cut into ¼” chunks
Whole grain crackers

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Prepare the squash and combine with the onion. Season with 2 Tbs. olive oil, salt, pepper, Mz Curri seasoning or the curry powder and garam masala. Toss to combine everything. Roast for 25 minutes or until fork tender.

Meanwhile, rip the poultry meat off of the carcass and leg or additional piece into small strips.

Wash and prepare asparagus by bending and breaking them at the point of tenderness. Place them in a large skillet with a ½ “ of water. Cook on high heat until crisp tender, about 5 minutes total. Remove and drain water. Put the asparagus back in the hot skillet to dry off the water. Remove the skillet from the heat and drizzle about 1 Tbs. of olive oil all over and season with salt and pepper.

Leftover Turkey or Chicken with Butternut Squash, Asparagus and Persimmon - ingredients.

Warm the chicken or turkey in the microwave for about 1 minute on high heat. Cover and keep warm.

Chop the persimmons and have ready.

When squash and onions are ready, scrape all vegetables and juices into a large warm bowl. Add in the warmed poultry. Place the asparagus on a cutting board and cut into 1.5” lengths and add to the bowl along with the chopped persimmons and all juices.

Leftover Turkey or Chicken with Butternut Squash, Asparagus and Persimmon - in a bowl.

Fold everything together and portion out into 4 warmed bowls. Serve with LOVE and enjoy!! I served this with a Cava – sparkling Spanish wine and it was delish!!

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Filed Under: Dinner, Poultry Tagged With: butternut squash, curry powder, leftover chicken, leftover turkey, Mz Curri

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Comments

  1. Jovina Coughlin says

    November 29, 2015 at 9:55 AM

    Nice way to reinvent leftovers.
    Jovina Coughlin recently posted…Happy ThanksgivingMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Steven says

    November 29, 2015 at 12:53 PM

    Pairing the dish with Cava is an excellent choice. For those who prefer still wines, I think the curry and the asparagus call out for a Riesling (Spatlese) or a fruity Gewurztraminer. Thanks for the Persimmon suggestion!!!
    Steven recently posted…Wines for Thanksgiving DinnerMy Profile

    Reply
  3. Pamela says

    November 29, 2015 at 5:40 PM

    Loving all of these leftover recipes after Thanksgiving! So many more meals you can make afterward 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
    Pamela recently posted…New Adventure… We bought land in Upstate NY! And this is how we closed on it.My Profile

    Reply
  4. Angie@Angie's Recipes says

    November 30, 2015 at 2:30 PM

    We adore persimmons too. This is a great use of leftover turkey, Mary.
    Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted…Anise Oatmeal Cookies with MarzipanMy Profile

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  5. Eva @ Eva Bakes says

    November 30, 2015 at 7:35 PM

    What a great way to use up leftover turkey! Love this idea, Mary Frances!
    Eva @ Eva Bakes recently posted…Easy pumpkin breadMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Raymund says

    December 1, 2015 at 4:42 AM

    What a great leftover idea! Definitely the turkey would be perfect with some butternut and asparagus
    Raymund recently posted…Kitajska Restavracija Han (Ljubljana, Slovenia)My Profile

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  7. Mir says

    December 1, 2015 at 10:33 AM

    I always need to think of ways to use up those leftovers! This looks delicious. Butternut squash and asparagus are both a fave!
    Mir recently posted…Gingerbread Cookie Cheesecake BarsMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Monica says

    December 1, 2015 at 4:21 PM

    This looks so delicious! I wish I had some turkey leftovers right now. : ) The seasoned butternut squash alone would make a great meal for me.
    Monica recently posted…Chocolate roll cake with mocha cream fillingMy Profile

    Reply
  9. Jenny Kim says

    December 1, 2015 at 4:38 PM

    Great use of your leftovers. This is how family recipes start.

    http://www.pixics.com/blog
    Jenny Kim recently posted…Swallows And Lace NecklaceMy Profile

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  10. Holly | Beyond Kimchee says

    December 1, 2015 at 5:29 PM

    Persimmon will go very nicely with the turkey. Looks delicious!
    Holly | Beyond Kimchee recently posted…3 Tasty Korean Side Dishes Made with Multi-Purpose Soy SauceMy Profile

    Reply
  11. ChopinandMysaucepan says

    December 1, 2015 at 8:29 PM

    Dear Mary Frances,

    It’s such a great feeling being able to use leftover to come up with a nice meal like this though I do sympathize with your hubby about the meatless meal!

    Reply
  12. John/Kitchen Riffs says

    December 1, 2015 at 9:44 PM

    What a fun — and unexpected! — combination of ingredients. You’re right — great way to use leftover turkey. Somehow I haven’t had a persimmon yet this fall — really need to get on the ball and buy some! Anyway, really nice — thanks.
    John/Kitchen Riffs recently posted…Crispy Shredded Hash Brown PotaotesMy Profile

    Reply
  13. Mandy says

    December 2, 2015 at 7:32 AM

    Who knew leftovers could be so fantastic! Wonderful meal.
    Have a happy day.
    🙂 Mandy xo
    Mandy recently posted…In My Kitchen – December 2015My Profile

    Reply
  14. Sarah says

    December 5, 2015 at 3:23 AM

    What an interesting flavor combination. Looks delicious and very healthy (always a good thing this time of year..)
    Sarah recently posted…Fresh Herb FrittataMy Profile

    Reply
  15. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says

    December 17, 2015 at 6:45 PM

    Perfect idea for all the leftover chicken I have in the fridge! It looks delicious.
    Maureen | Orgasmic Chef recently posted…How to Dry Sourdough Starter – Save Your StarterMy Profile

    Reply

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