Root Vegetable Pan Roast with Chestnuts and Apples

A fantastic side dish for Thanksgiving can came out wonderfully. I used Satsuma sweet potatoes (a Japanese variety with light flesh rather than orange) that I found to be really delicious. They were sweet and had a wonderful texture. And the blend of the sweet vegetables and fruit with a savory vinegar sauce created the perfect balance of ingredients that were a welcome addition to the Thanksgiving feast.

Root Vegetable Pan Roast with Chestnuts and Apples 

1. 1/2 cup cider vinegar
2. 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable stock or canned low-sodium broth
3. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4. 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup  (I substituted honey)
5. 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
6. 2 medium red onions, each cut into 8 wedges through the core
7. 1 cup vacuum-packed whole chestnuts (6 ounces)
8. 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
9. 1 tablespoon thyme leaves
10. Salt and freshly ground pepper
11. 2 medium beets, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
12. 2 large tart apples, such as Granny Smith, cored and cut into eighths

1. Preheat the oven to 400°. In a small saucepan, combine the cider vinegar, chicken stock, butter and maple syrup and bring to a boil. Cook over moderately high heat until reduced by half, about 15 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, in a large shallow roasting pan, toss the sweet potatoes, onions and chestnuts with the olive oil and thyme; season with salt and pepper. Tuck the beets among the other vegetables and roast for 20 minutes. Gently turn the vegetables, add the apples and roast for 20 minutes longer, or until all of the vegetables and the apples are tender and lightly browned. Add the sauce and toss gently. Transfer to a platter and serve.