Carrot Ginger Quinoa Pepper Jacks – delightfully ghoulish Pepper Jacks – jack o lanterns carved from peppers. kids of ALL AGES will love these!
Carrot Ginger Quinoa Pepper Jacks
See more Pepper Jacks here – Pepper Jack Recipe Collection.
This is Halloween, this is Halloween. Halloween, Halloween!
That song will be in my head all day now…
You know we love our stuffed peppers, right?
Today I have another stuffed pepper, and another play on words. These jack o lantern peppers are fun (I make them every year), but the new filling is what I’m excited about!
Doesn’t that one look like a skeleton?
So. This filling. I started by juicing carrots and ginger.
Then. I cooked the quinoa with the carrot ginger juice.
I know, I know. I made that face too.
Asparagus Mushroom Scramble Pepper Jacks
Carrot Ginger Quinoa Pepper Jacks
makes two stuffed peppers
dairy, egg, soy, oil, and gluten free, vegan
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup dry quinoa (black for Halloween theme)
1 cup fresh carrot ginger juice
1 cup cooked black beans
2 orange bell peppers
pinch sea salt
INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 °F.
*Juice 5 carrots and 1 inch piece ginger.
Combine quinoa and juice, bring to boil. Reduce to simmer, cover and cook for 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, carve your peppers.
Combine cooked quinoa with black beans, salt to taste, fill peppers.
Bake at 350 °F for 30 minutes. Serve over spinach salad.
*No juicer? Buy a bottle of carrot ginger juice – generally found in the chilled beverage section.
I want to cook all quinoa in juice from now on – it really adds vibrant flavor! These had a warm sweetness from the ginger and carrot, which balanced the pepper flavor well. It’s just an added bonus that they are whimsical and get me singing songs from a Tim Burton movie.
Do you carve pumpkins for Halloween? If not, perhaps a pepper?
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ABOUT KRISTINA SLOGGETT: Kristina is spabettie! She founded spabettie in 2010 to share her vegetarian recipes. Vegetarian quickly became vegan.
As the sole recipe developer and photographer at spabettie, Kristina turned her love of cooking and creativity into an extremely fun and challenging way to spend her days – sharing just how flavorful and vibrant vegan food is!
She loves dachshunds, Portland, Hawaii, drummers – well, one drummer – and travel.
printable Carrot Ginger Quinoa Pepper Jacks recipe:
- ½ cup dry quinoa (black for Halloween theme)
- 1 cup fresh carrot ginger juice
- 1 cup cooked black beans
- 2 orange bell peppers
- sea salt
- *Juice 5 carrots and 1 inch piece ginger.
- Combine quinoa and juice, bring to boil. Reduce to simmer, cover and cook for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, carve your peppers. Combine cooked quinoa with black beans, salt to taste, fill peppers.
- Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Serve over spinach salad.
- *No juicer? Buy a bottle of carrot ginger juice - generally found in the chilled beverage section.
spabettie / Kristina Sloggett is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Victoria (District Chocoholic) says
Those orange peppers looks AMAZING and are so freaking cute. They’re so well done that I thought they were ceramic in the top photo. I’m in awe.
spabettie says
thank you, Victoria!! 😀
spabettie says
oh… and I thought of you the other day… another chickpea creation coming soon! 😉
phoenix says
OMG, so cute!!!
spabettie says
😀 thank you, Phoenix!
Stephanie@MyThornsHaveRoses says
Cutest thing ever!!!! I have GOT to make these for the kids.
spabettie says
yes you do!! they will love them!
Thom says
Amazing! Adorable and slightly unsettling, just like Halloween is supposed to be! I am still perplexed how you are able to produce so many wonderful & beautiful ideas so frequently.
Much love to you & your blog!
spabettie says
ha – Thank you, Thom! 🙂 and thank you SO much for your continued kind words – they always make my day and are much appreciated! (and trust me, sometimes I do NOT have any ideas…) 😉 XXO!
Heather (Where's the Beach) says
OMG love it. How fun would those be at a Halloween dinner party!
spabettie says
indeed! I did just that one year, they were definitely a hit.
Evan Thomas says
These are so adorable.
I used to carve pumpkins. Now I roast and puree them.
spabettie says
ha – yeah you do, and then amazing things are made! 🙂
Kalinda says
Ha! They are way too awesome/funny/cute. Now I must share with all my veggie friends.
spabettie says
hi Kalinda!! thank you for sharing! XO
Curt says
Those are really cute! And even better because you get to eat them! I love black beans!
spabettie says
thank you, Curt! we love stuffed peppers, always delicious!
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
Why are you SO darn cute?
spabettie says
“baby, I was born this way“. 😉
(thank you…) 😀
Maryea {Happy Healthy Mama} says
Love it! I saw something similar on Pinterest and put it on my list of things to make in October. So much fun. I also love the idea of cooking quinoa in carrot/ginger juice. I prefer it cooked in some liquid other than water for the extra flavor boost, and I’m sure the juice idea is spectacular!
spabettie says
hi Maryea! here I was thinking I was being all creative with my pepper jacks! 😉 it’s been a favorite Halloween thing for years.
you should try the carrot ginger juice for quinoa – I generally use a veggie broth, and have been branching out lately (salsa spices were GOOD!). the juice gives a lot of flavor!
Maryea {Happy Healthy Mama} says
Oh don’t worry–you are super creative!! With the Internet, it’s pretty hard to find something someone, somewhere, hasn’t already done. 😉
spabettie says
I definitely know that! and just to clarify, I wasn’t fishing for a compliment… although I do appreciate it. 😉
Happy Tuesday, Maryea!
Holly @ The Runny Egg says
Cute!
We do carve pumpkins every year — my MIL has the whole family over and we eat, drink and carve pumpkins. She has tons of tools and stencils to make some pretty interesting jack o lanterns. We look forward to it every year.
spabettie says
I need to make some stencils… I always have grand visions of my pumpkins and while they are cute, they rarely live up… 😉 always fun though! 😀
Lindsay @ Lindsay's List says
Kristina! Oh my word! i can make these with Henry and not get all the pumpkin goop everywhere. You’ve saved this anal, too clean mommy ALOT of heartache!!
spabettie says
oh, YAY, I am SO happy for that! and you can make several of them, AND you can eat them… AND they are very easy to “carve” ! 😀 have fun! XO
Cara says
So adorable I could just pass out!! I absolutely LOVE these! And they are easier to carve than a real pumpkin , even better 🙂
spabettie says
yes, Cara! so much easier than a pumpkin, and you can eat it after! 😀 wins all around.
Felicia (Natural + Balanced) says
what a cute idea!!
spabettie says
thank you, Felicia!
Bobbie {thevegancrew} says
Such genius! These are so stinkin’ cute, and I will definitely be trying my hand at making some before month’s end 🙂
spabettie says
I hope you do, Bobbie! have fun and enjoy! 😀
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
So cute! This makes me want to carve a pumpkin this year, I haven’t done it in at least 5 years now.
I love cooking quinoa in juice. I usually use orange juice, gives it such a better flavor than water!
spabettie says
orange juice sounds good too – I think I will be using juice a lot with quinoa, replacing my usual veggie broth.
Stephanie says
This may very well be the cutest Halloween recipe I’ve seen. Now I know what I’m making for dinner on the 31st! Thanks so much for sharing!
spabettie says
you are so welcome, Stephanie! enjoy, have a fun Halloween! 🙂
Jess says
You are so darn creative!! Can you send some of that creativity my way?? I find I end up making the same stuff over and over again. This looks SO good and so FUN to eat. Plus I freakin’ LOVE quinoa!
spabettie says
thank you, Jess!! 😀 you should definitely make these, they are really fun AND tasty. and trust me, girl, I have my creative times AND my dry spells… 😉
Anna @ On Anna's Plate says
These are JUST too cute. Seriously.
spabettie says
thank you, Anna! 😀
Nichole says
For real?! I can’t believe your skill. I want some cheesy/rice combo in my jackopepper, but you have shown me something new. Adorbs.
spabettie says
yeah, some may want a little “more”, but we enjoyed them as is – the flavor is SO good and the beans give some OOMPH. 😉
Jen Molica says
This presentation rocks. I love happy spooky food.
spabettie says
thank you, Jen! 😀
katie says
these are the coolest! haha! I love the pumpkin creativeness!!!
You my dear are rocking the recipes!
Happy Tuesday! xoxo
spabettie says
thanks, Katie – they are pretty fun! 😀
Jojo says
Those are so rad!
spabettie says
thanks, Jojo! 😀
Susan says
This is just about the cutest thing ever and I’m dying!
And it reminds me that I need to cook my quinoa in other mediums besides water.
spabettie says
oh, yes you should, Susan! even if it’s something like a stock or broth… the juice? SO good!
Christine @ Merf In Progress says
You are so flipping adorable. These would be great for a dinner party.
spabettie says
hee, thank you Christine 🙂
Allie says
Okay, your Halloween foods are all officially way too cute. I’m not carving a pumpkin this year, so I juuust might have to give these peppers a go. Or at least that quinoa, ’cause I love everything ginger.
spabettie says
Allie, if you like ginger, MAKE THIS quinoa! I will be doing this with much of my quinoa from now on… and you may as well put the quinoa in pepper jacks! 😉
lindsay says
hehe, too cute! i love all your recipes with “character.” Such a spabettie trademark.
spabettie says
thank you, dear friend – so happy you appreciate them! 😀 XO
Marisa Voorhees, The Food-Sensitive Foodie says
Ah! Spookily-fabu! Totally dig your kitchen style. I’ve got a whole pot of just cooked black beans begging for an inspired and fun use. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
spabettie says
hello Marisa, and thank you! I hope you make these, they are fun and tasty! 🙂
katie @KatieDid says
Sooo creative, I love it!!
spabettie says
thank you, my friend! 😀
Jeni Treehugger says
These are RAD!
I’ve been looking everywhere for orange peppers and can’t find any. If I was doing green food for MoFo there’d be orange peppers everywhere….I just know it.
🙂
spabettie says
oh, no Jeni! I don’t know what I’d do without orange (and yellow) – those are my favorites. I am not a fan of the green peppers, they’re different, you know?
I hope you find some soon! XO
Jen@foodfamilyfitness says
So freaking cute! You could fill those peppers with anything looking that adorable and I would eat them 🙂
spabettie says
hee – thanks, Jen! and yes, they’d be fun with just about any filling… but THIS – MMM! 😀
Ashlae says
These are SO adorable. I cannot wait to try them for our halloween dinner party at the end of the month. Genius!
spabettie says
I hope you do, Ashlae! they are definitely hit!
Lisa says
Awesome! I love these! I haven’t carved a pumpkin in the last couple years…but I could definitely handle the pepper idea!
spabettie says
the peppers are SO much easier, and… you get to eat them after! 😀
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
TOO CUTE!!
And your knife-carving skills are pretty stellar to carve out those faces!
spabettie says
thanks, Averie!! 🙂 smaller surface, to be sure, but it’s really pretty easy to do…
Liz (Little Bitty Bakes) says
Ahhh, these are SO cute!! What a neat idea, seriously – who ever would have thought to do that?! And I love that you cooked the quinoa in the ginger carrot juice, I’m sure it gave it great flavor!
spabettie says
you should try this, Liz – quinoa, rice, whatever – the flavor is amazing! 🙂 (and thank you!) XO
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
Lady, these are crazy cute! Love them! We make a huge event out of carving pumpkins. We go to the farm, get them and then come back and carve the rest of the day! It’s one of my favorite things to do with the boys!
I braised carrots, onion and garlic in carrot juice this weekend and it was sooo good! What an amazing sauce it makes.
spabettie says
braising carrots in juice – oh, MY that sounds good – we were in sync this weekend! 🙂 I want to come over to YOUR house for pumpkin day!! 😀
Pure2raw twins says
girl these are too cute! you are so creative, not sure if I could ever do something like this, I would totally mess it up
spabettie says
thank you!! 🙂 they’re fun… and you could totally do it – they’re much easier to carve. 😀
Kris @Krazy_Kris says
just when I think you’ve done it all…
you come up with THIS!
LURVE LURVE LURVE!!!!
spabettie says
ha – thank you, dear. you are the sweetest in all that you do for me!
Dorry says
STOP IT! These look so amazing. I bet they’d be incredible with lentils, too – I’ve been on a lentil kick…
I’m making these when we have friends over for dinner – too freaking cute. And tasty. And you know I’ll add avocado to mine. 🙂
spabettie says
yep, lentils will be good, avocado OF COURSE will be good… 😀 take photos when you make them, I want to see!
Suzan says
I just made this the other night for our Bunko group. They were completely surprised when I told them how good it was for you. Not to mention how delicious it was!! 😀 The one question I have for you is: In your photos, yours looks thick like cookie dough, while mine was not thick at all, but more like a salad dressing. The taste was out of this world, but did I leave something out or miss a step to make mine more thin in consistancy? Either way, I’ll be making it again, just wanted to know.:) Thanks..
Kristina Sloggett says
hi Suzan! so happy you made these and enjoyed them. just so I am understanding, your quinoa cooked in the juice never set up? cooking in liquid for 20 minutes, the quinoa should have absorbed all of the liquid, did it not? I honestly am not sure why yours would have the consistency of a salad dressing – I cook quinoa all the time and this has never happened. If you make it again, cook the quinoa until it has absorbed all of the liquid (just using 1 cup liquid to 1/2 cup quinoa). hope that helps?
Fit Chick in the City says
These are the cutest thing ever. I usually shy away from stuffed pepper recipes, but this one looks so easy!
spabettie says
thank you, Jess! and yes, you should try them – they’re really too easy… 😀
Fit Chick in the City says
btw, I tried them and loved them!
Miriam @ Sometimes I Veg says
These are just so cute and creative. I love them. I’m going to have to start making these for halloween.
spabettie says
thanks, Miriam! 🙂 they are really fun, right? I love Halloween…
Angela @ Vegangela.com says
Oh you’re too cute! I love the idea of using an orange pepper as a little mini pumpkin… I’m thinking of all kinds of possibilities… you rock!
spabettie says
heee – thanks, Angela! aren’t they fun? the best part – you get to eat them! no messy pumpkin to deal with later (although we will do those too…) 😉
Anna says
That has to be one of the cutest and most genius things I have ever seen. Well done. 🙂
spabettie says
thank you, Anna! 😀 I love Halloween… I do these every year!
Sara@RunningInPinkProject says
Umm I need to carve a pepper ASAP. So cute!
spabettie says
right?? so much easier than a pumpkin… 😉
Nicole M. says
These are great! I bet they would work nicely as a stuffed pepper, too, for the meat-eaters out there!
spabettie says
most definitely – these could be stuffed with anything, really. 🙂
Megan says
That’s too cute. I’m saving this for Halloween, it’ll be a great craft for little kids (maybe if I see my little cousins, I can actually get them to eat some veggies!)
spabettie says
ha – I know the kids will love these… as far as actually eating them, you’ll have to let me know! 😀
Lizzy M. says
Last fall I made vegan savory stuffed apples but I think your peppers scream fall alot more! They look great!
Kath (My Funny Little Life) says
I love them. These are the cutest stuffed peppers I’ve ever encountered.
spabettie says
thanks, Kath! 😀 they’re pretty fun, I love Halloween!
Karen Harris says
So darned cute, and delicious is just a bonus!
spabettie says
thanks, Karen! yes, they’re a MUCH easier alternative to carving a pumpkin… and you can eat them too! 😉
Emilia @ Namaste Gurl says
I’m always in for a sure surprise when I visit your blog– and this post is no exception 🙂 These look amazing and so festive for the upcoming halloween holiday! Sadly, I don’t get too spirited when it comes to Halloween, but you’ve certainly inspired me to do so 🙂
spabettie says
aww, thank you so much, Emilia! that just made me smile big – you are so sweet! 🙂 perhaps you will carve some peppers this year?
heather says
beautiful peppers, beautiful post!
spabettie says
thank you, Heather – these were pretty fun to make!
celyn says
So adorable!
spabettie says
thank you, Celyn! by the way, have I told you I love your blog name!?? 😀
celyn says
Thank you! My blog is vegan giveaways for the Vegan Month of Food, so come have a look if you like. 🙂
spabettie says
oh my gosh Oh My Gosh OH MY GOSH, I’m looking at today’s post, is that top photo a dachshund?? or a dachshund mix? sure looks like one 😉 anyway, I have moved your blog in my reader to my favorites folder, so I don’t miss any more posts (I’ve been SO behind in reading, especially with all the new vegan mofo additions!). I’m not entering today’s giveaway – I have one of these already!! (purchased at Vida Vegan!) 😀
hihorosie says
ha ha! You’re so creative! There’s some Halloween spirit!
spabettie says
aren’t they fun!? 😀
bitt says
so adorable!
spabettie says
thank you!! 😀
Jenn @ Peas and Crayons says
just told one of my bffs to make these! =) hollerrr!
spabettie says
YAY! I hope they do – they’re fun!
Jenna says
we made these for dinner tonight!! the kids all loved them and we did too, wonderful flavors from the juice in the quinoa, you are so crafty!!
spabettie says
thank you, Jenna! glad you enjoyed!
Janessa says
So great! Love these!
spabettie says
thanks, girl!
oh HEY! remember you had a dream about me Vida Vegan weekend (I was a scuba diver!?) I had a dream about YOU last night!! we were mushroom hunting. but they turned into pumpkins, the way only dreams can. 😉
we should get a group together for dinner sometime when Departure rolls out the new vegan menu!! XO
Janessa says
Pumpkin mushrooms, adorable!
Yes, vegan Departure dinner field trip soon! Absolutely!
Niki M. says
This is seriously adorable! When I first saw it, I didn’t think they were real! So cute
spabettie says
thank you!! 🙂 I know, you are not the first person to say that! I guess some of them DO look like they could be ceramic or something!
Callie @ Callieflower Kitchen says
Wow, these are so adorable! I actually hate peppers, but there are so cute I would totally make them for other people 🙂
spabettie says
exactly! and you can eat the stuffing. it’s still easier than a pumpkin! 😉
Vu Huynh says
Can you enable highlighting on your website? I would like to copy/paste the recipe for my mother without having to retype it. Thanks!
spabettie says
I just emailed it to you! 😀
SaraJane says
These might be the cutest things I’ve ever seen. Love it!
spabettie says
thank you, SaraJane! they’re currently third place in the Yummly contest, I would LOVE your vote if you haven’t already? 🙂
http://www.yummly.com/blog/2011/10/contest-finalist-stuffed-pepper-jack-o-lanterns/
Ashia Mann says
really? its that easy?! I have the ingredients and im ready to assemble but im afraid that in the oven they wont stay so bright orange and perky. the ones you photographed have been baked already…?
Thanks for the adorable recipe, either way 😉
spabettie says
they will, or they should! some of these photos, YES – they’re already baked – the ones on the spinach, for sure – can you see how they’re kindof “softer” looking? 😀 they definitely “wilt” a bit, but the color always stays nice! you are so welcome, enjoy!!
Alexis @ persia lou says
Thanks for sharing this! They are adorable and sounds delicious. I have never thought about cooking quinoa in juice. What a great idea! Time to pull out the juicer!
spabettie says
hi Alexis! after doing this, I don’t know if I’ll cook quinoa any other way!! it was SO flavorful with the juice – oh my! hope you try it – enjoy!
Joanne says
Love it, love it , love it~!!! You can stuff anything in those pumpkins!
spabettie says
thank you, Joanne!! 🙂 they are pretty fun…
Hayley says
cooking quinoa in juice is such a good idea – THANK YOU!!
spabettie says
thank YOU! I love it, especially carrot but I have used apple and other fruit juices too! cooking with water? never! gives such great flavors, I’m glad you like it!
Andie says
found these from yummly, congratulations on the recipe win!! they are too cute and the recipe sounds amazing too – bookmarked and will enjoy these! (a turkey carving, perhaps? or holiday designs!)
spabettie says
thank you, Andie!! I was really excited to have made the top ten!! *little old me?? 😀 if you carve turkeys in these (or anything else) I MUST SEE!! 😀
Jessie says
so cool! congratulation on winning!
Julie H says
this quinoa filling is amazing! thanks for a great recipe, the jacks are very cute.
spabettie says
thank YOU, Julie! this is my favorite way to cook quinoa now!
Jenna says
these are SO cute, and sound great!
Sig says
SO cute!! cooking quinoa in juice sounds so good too – what a great idea!
Georgia says
lovely – I am new to your blog and love the recipes. besos, Georgia P.
spabettie says
thank you, Georgia!
Garo says
adorable! the filling sounds good too.
spabettie says
hello Garo!! thank you – these are always fun to make 🙂
Grandma Wrinkles says
too cute!
DMW
Baker Bettie says
These are adorable! Love, love, love.
spabettie says
thank you!!
Deborah says
I was searching for something vegan and gluten free for a Halloween potluck, and found these on the xgfx site. O wow they are so perfect! My one small issue is I don’t like ginger… 🙂 So would you recommend using straight carrot juice, or some other combo? Whatever the broth I know they will be a huge hit. 🙂 Thanks for the fantastic idea!
spabettie says
hi Deborah! yes, just leave out the ginger and use straight carrot juice – or really you can get creative and come up with any flavors you like! carrot is sort of sweet, gives a great flavor. orange is also good, I’ve cooked quinoa in coconut milk (so creamy!), all kinds of liquids! enjoy!
Annie says
Thanks for sharing at the Potluck, Kristina! Sooo cute!
Kristina Sloggett says
thank YOU, Annie – and CONGRATS! (I couldn’t leave a comment on the post…). we are on our honeymoon right now – sending you sweet wedding wishes! 🙂
Poppy says
Wow these are adorable and so fun!
Deborah Davis says
Hi Kristina,
I just hopped by from Virtual Vegan Linky to see your carrot-ginger quinoa pepper jacks. These are the cutest little treats for Halloween season. I can’t wait to make these for friends and family. How creative.
RG @ Astig Vegan says
This is so cute! I’m sure my nephews would love these!
Sandi (gfchopstix) says
Hi Kristina, love these! Stuffed peppers with rice are my favourite, but haven’t tried it with quinoa…yet. I’ve reblogged your recipe on my site. Thank you!
Kristina Sloggett says
glad you enjoyed enough to share a link, Sandi – thank you and cheers!