October 28, 2024

Pomegranate-Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Roasted Delicata Squash and Slaw

This post was originally published here October 19, 2015. I’ve since adjusted the recipe slightly and updated the photographs and text to reflect those changes. So get out the napkins for these deliciously messy sandwiches!

Get out the napkins for these saucy, deliciously messy Pomegranate-Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Roasted Delicata Squash and Slaw! These sandwiches have tender slow cooked pork, a simple crunchy vegetable slaw and roasted delicata squash. Yes, I said squash!

My appreciation for Winter for squash knows no bounds. I love it in all the obvious ways: roasted as a side dish, in salads, in soups, etc. But I also love trying to sneak it into dishes that are a bit less obvious. Like these pulled pork sandwiches. And it works so well here! 

If we can put squash into pie, then I think we can definitely put it on a sandwich!

There are a couple different steps involved in making these Pomegranate-Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Roasted Delicata Squash and Slaw. But they are all super easy. If you’ve ever made pulled pork, chicken or beef in your slow cooker before, then you know the appliance does 95% of the work. Just mix up a simple sauce, pour this over the meat and “set it and forget it” for several hours. Then about 30 minutes before you’re ready to eat, roast up the delicata squash and mix up the slaw. Easy peasy!

These sandwiches make for a great Fall dinner. They would be ideal for game day. I also love the idea of having them for a meal before embarking on Halloween trick-or-treating or partying. A nice big hearty sandwich will get you thru the evening of sugar and spooks!

Cheers,

Liz

Get the Recipe:

Pomegranate-Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Roasted Delicata Squash and Slaw

At a Glance:

Yield: Makes 8-10 sandwiches

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours

Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes

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Ingredients

For the Pork:

• 2 – 2 1/2 lbs boneless pork roast
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• 1 cup chili sauce
• 1/4 cup pomegranate juice
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp. liquid smoke

For the Squash:

• 1 delicata squash
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper

For the Slaw:

• 2 cups shredded red cabbage
• 1 cup thinly sliced fennel
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
• Juice from 1/2 lime juice
• Salt
• Black pepper

For Serving:

• 8-10 kaiser or brioche buns

Instructions

1. Make the pork. Season the pork on all sides with the salt and black pepper. Then place it in your slow cooker. In a medium bowl, stir together the chili sauce, pomegranate juice, brown sugar and liquid smoke. Pour this over the pork. Then place the lid on your slow cooker and cook on the “low” setting for about 8 hours or the “high” setting for about 4 hours. The pork is done when it’s extremely tender and easily falls apart. 
2. Use two forks to shred the pork into smaller pieces. There will initially be an excess of cooking liquid in your slow cooker. But the shredded pork will absorb most of it within 30-60 minutes. Keep warm.
3. Roast the squash. Pre-heat your oven to 425 degrees. Slice the squash in half lengthwise. Then scrape out and discard the seeds. Slice the squash halves into 1/2-inch thick half-moon shapes. Toss with the olive oil, salt and black pepper. Then spread the slices out onto a rimmed baking sheet and transfer to your pre-heated oven. Roast for 15 minutes. Then flip the slices over and roast for an additional 8-10 minutes. The squash slices should be soft and golden brown in some places. Remove and set aside.
4. Make the slaw. Add the red cabbage, fennel and cilantro to a bowl and toss to combine. Add the olive oil, lime juice and a pinch of salt and black pepper and toss to coat. 
5. Assemble the sandwiches. Warm or toast your buns, if desired. Cover the bottom half of each bun with some of the shredded pork. Then top with the slaw and a few slices of the roasted squash. Top with the remaining half of the bun and serve immediately.