Crockpot Pork Roast with Apples & Sweet Potatoes

Fruit and meat.

I don’t know, why, but this is a very difficult concept for me to wrap my head around.  Maybe it’s because I’m not a huge fan of cooked fruits.  Or maybe because I love the salty and savory flavors associated with meat.

Despite my reluctance to accept it, pork lends itself to sweet flavors.  I first was dragged into this flavor combination by my brother-in-law, who (several years ago) made me a lovely mango sauce with pork chops.  I enjoyed it (but mostly flicked those mango pieces to the side) and didn’t think about it again.

Until this past summer when I was uncharacteristically inspired to make a spicy raspberry sauce for pork chops.  And again recently when I bought a pork roast and just wanted to do something different.  So I looked around and found some old apples and onions, and a couple sweet potatoes in the pantry and an idea was born!

Recipe Notes:

*Use any apples that you have in your pantry.  I didn’t peel mine, because I like the additional nutrients found in the apple peels.

*After removing the roast, scoop out the apple, sweet potato, and onion pieces; draining a bit, and mash with a potato masher.  Serve as an instant side dish.

Crockpot Pork Roast with Apples & Sweet Potatoes

An Amy’s Cooking Adventures Original Recipe

2.5 lb pork roast

2 fuji apples, cored and chopped

1 medium sweet potato, chopped in large pieces

1 medium onion, chopped in large pieces

1 tbsp minced garlic

1 cup apple juice (or white grape juice or water)

1 tsp sea salt

½ tsp black pepper

½ tsp ground cinnamon

½ tsp dried basil

½ tsp dried rosemary

½ tsp dried marjoram

¼ - ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (to taste)

Spray the bottom and sides of a 4.5 quart slow cooker.

Place half of the apple, sweet potato, and onion chunks in the bottom of the slow cooker.  Place the roast on top, followed by the juice.

Sprinkle the herbs and spices over the roast, followed by the remaining chunks of apple, sweet potato and onion.  Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3.5 – 4.5 hours.

Once finished, remove and slice the pork roast.  Scoop the apple, sweet potato, and onion chunks into a bowl and mash with a potato masher.

Serves 4

Enjoy!

YAmy