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    Home » Recipes » Main Dish Recipes

    Latin-Spiced Pork + Squash Skillet with Chili Lime Cherries

    Modified: Mar 14, 2023 · Published: Oct 12, 2017 by Ashley

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    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·Leave a Review

    This post has been compensated as part of my ongoing partnership with Stoneridge Orchards. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

    This smoky-sweet single skillet meal is a quick and easy way to get a comfort food dinner with Latin flair on the table any night of the week.

    It's time for some real talk.

    Life has been hectic lately. In the past few weeks we've had house guests, new school schedules, busy work schedules, never-ending piles of housework...

    ...and then I came down with the flu and was out of commission for a week. UGH.

    When I was finally able to get back to some sort of normalcy, I wanted comfort food and I wanted it NOW. And I didn't want to dirty a bunch of dishes while making it.

    Latin-Spiced Pork + Squash Skillet with Chili Lime Cherries: (#ad) This smoky-sweet single skillet meal is a quick and easy way to get a comfort food dinner with Latin flair on the table any night of the week.

    Single skillet meals are a total game changer in the kitchen! They're perfect for when you're low on time and/or energy but still want a home-cooked meal without much fuss.

    I had toyed with a version of this pork dish a while back when I was trying out the Chili Lime Cherries with Tajin® from Stoneridge Orchards, and I knew it had major potential to be an all-in-one-skillet meal if I added in some more veggies.

    It's hard to beat a meal that's made up of a beautifully seared piece of meat that's nice and juicy inside served with roasted veggies and a flavorful pan sauce.

    And all from just one pan!

    And pork tenderloin is such a versatile ingredient. Some of our very favorite recipes utilize it, like this balsamic marinated pork tenderloin, this pan-roasted pork tenderloin with balsamic tomatoes, these peanut noodles with roasted pork tenderloin + honeyed oranges, and this breaded pork tenderloin with lemon caper sauce.

    Latin-Spiced Pork + Squash Skillet with Chili Lime Cherries: (#ad) This smoky-sweet single skillet meal is a quick and easy way to get a comfort food dinner with Latin flair on the table any night of the week.

    I had seen Tajin in the Latin aisle at my local supermarket in the past, but hadn't ever experimented with it at home until I tried these cherries.

    Tajin is a popular spice blend used in Mexican cooking. It's made of premium chilis, lime juice, and sea salt. The result is a mild kick that can be added to all sorts of dishes.

    I love pairing sweet and spicy together, so the fact that these cherries are already perfectly spiced makes them perfect for snacking.

    Latin-Spiced Pork + Squash Skillet with Chili Lime Cherries: (#ad) This smoky-sweet single skillet meal is a quick and easy way to get a comfort food dinner with Latin flair on the table any night of the week.

    Do you have a favorite type of squash? I used a carnival squash for this recipe.  According to this awesome winter squash reference article on epicurious, carnival squash is a mix between an acorn squash and a sweet dumpling squash.

    Growing up, I think I only ever had butternut squash. I still remember the first time I tried prepping one at home - what a nightmare! It's such a hassle to peel them - it took forever and I was sure I was going to cut myself!

    In fact, it's now one of the few ingredients that I'll pay more for at the store to just buy some that's already peeled and diced. It saves me a lot of time and frustration, so I think it's worth it!

    Latin-Spiced Pork + Squash Skillet with Chili Lime Cherries: (#ad) This smoky-sweet single skillet meal is a quick and easy way to get a comfort food dinner with Latin flair on the table any night of the week.

    Since I've branched out and tried lots of types of squash now, I find myself gravitating toward ones that you don't have to peel.

    That's right - there are some varieties of squash that you can go ahead and eat the skin of!

    Bonus points for the extra fiber, ease of prep, and how pretty it looks in the pan when the skin is left on!

    Latin-Spiced Pork + Squash Skillet with Chili Lime Cherries: (#ad) This smoky-sweet single skillet meal is a quick and easy way to get a comfort food dinner with Latin flair on the table any night of the week.

    You could use any squash that you like here - but if you use something like butternut or spaghetti squash, you won't be able to eat the skin.

    Be sure to cut your squash into consistent sized slices so they'll cook evenly. Truth be told, I cut the ones in this dish a little too thick, so I had to cook it a little longer for them to fully cook. Around ½-inch thick slices should be just fine.

    You could also use sweet potatoes or even cauliflower in this dish - it really is versatile!

    Latin-Spiced Pork + Squash Skillet with Chili Lime Cherries: (#ad) This smoky-sweet single skillet meal is a quick and easy way to get a comfort food dinner with Latin flair on the table any night of the week.

    After the pork is cooked, let it sit for 5-10 minutes before slicing it up and serving. Make sure to drizzle the pan sauce and plumped-up cherries over the meat before serving - you won't be sorry!

    What are your favorite one-dish meals? I'd love to hear about them in the comments section below!

    Looking for more single skillet recipes? Check out some of our favorites:

    • Skillet Lasagna with Lamb, Ricotta + Mint
    • Spanish Chicken + Sausage Skillet
    • Pan-Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Balsamic Tomatoes
    • Iron Skillet Chicken + Carrots with Toasted Lager Mustard Sauce
    • Sausage and Peppers
    • Our Favorite Steak Fajitas
    • Single-Skillet Bacon-Rosemary Chicken Thighs with Roasted Tomatoes
    • Pan Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Fairy Tale Eggplant & Tomatoes
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    Latin-Spiced Pork + Squash Skillet with Chili Lime Cherries: (#ad) This smoky-sweet single skillet meal is a quick and easy way to get a comfort food dinner with Latin flair on the table any night of the week.

    Latin-Spiced Pork + Squash Skillet with Chili Lime Cherries

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews
    • Author: Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen - Ashley Covelli
    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 20 minutes
    • Total Time: 35 minutes
    • Yield: 4 Servings 1x
    • Category: Dinner
    • Method: Oven
    • Cuisine: Latin
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    Description

    This smoky-sweet single skillet meal is a quick and easy way to get a comfort food dinner with Latin flair on the table any night of the week.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 2 tablespoons peanut or grapeseed oil
    • 1 piece pork tenderloin, cut into thirds (about 1 pound total)
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
    • ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper, divided
    • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon ground coriander
    • 3 cloves garlic, smashed
    • 2 shallots, sliced
    • 1 small acorn or delicata squash (about 1 pound), halved, seeded, and sliced ½-inch thick
    • ½ cup Stoneridge Orchards Chili Lime cherries
    • ¼ cup low sodium chicken stock or broth
    • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
    • Cilantro, for garnish

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
    2. Heat oil in a large, ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Pat pork dry and season with half of the salt and pepper, the cumin, smoked paprika and coriander. Rub the seasoning all over. Once oil is hot, place pork in the skillet and sear for 2-3 minutes per side, until nicely browned all over. Add garlic, shallots, squash, cherries, chicken stock, and vinegar to pan. Season with remaining ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
    3. Place skillet in the oven and roast for 15-20 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 145°F and squash is tender when pierced with a knife. Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes.
    4. To serve, slice pork into medallions. Serve with veggies alongside, drizzling with the pan juices and plumped cherries. Garnish with chopped cilantro, if desired.

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size:
    • Calories: 279
    • Sugar: 15.4 g
    • Sodium: 379.4 mg
    • Fat: 9.6 g
    • Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
    • Carbohydrates: 22.9 g
    • Fiber: 1.4 g
    • Protein: 25.2 g
    • Cholesterol: 73.7 mg

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    Tag @bigflavors on Instagram and hashtag it #cookbigflavors

    Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes
    Latin-Spiced Pork + Squash Skillet with Chili Lime Cherries: (#ad) This smoky-sweet single skillet meal is a quick and easy way to get a comfort food dinner with Latin flair on the table any night of the week.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Amélie van der Aa

      October 13, 2017 at 10:26 am

      I LOVE single skillet meals! I'll definitely try this one!

      Reply
      • BigFlavorsFromATinyKitchen

        October 14, 2017 at 6:17 pm

        Aren't they such a great way to make a meal without a giant mess? Hope you enjoy this one!

        Reply
    2. HomeMadeZagat

      October 13, 2017 at 6:39 pm

      I love how those cherries sounding. Definitely going to look out for them. Your dish looks amazing.

      Reply
      • BigFlavorsFromATinyKitchen

        October 14, 2017 at 6:17 pm

        Thanks so much! They really do add a fun pop of flavor to this dish.

        Reply
    3. Christine

      October 14, 2017 at 6:30 am

      I'm always looking for new ways to prepare squash (and definitely new varieties of squash). This looks like a fun way to branch out! And the chili lime cherries sound delicious.

      Reply
      • BigFlavorsFromATinyKitchen

        October 29, 2017 at 11:29 am

        Isn't it cool how many varieties there are?! I feel like I see a new one every time I'm at the store. And yes - the cherries are SO tasty!

        Reply
    4. Marisa Franca Stewart

      October 14, 2017 at 11:10 am

      We love our Tajin and our kitchen is never without it!! We really like the lime garlicky taste. And I agree, one-pan/pot meals are ideal for a buy household. I do like the touch of cherries to the pork.

      Reply
      • BigFlavorsFromATinyKitchen

        October 14, 2017 at 6:18 pm

        What are your favorite ways to use Tajin? I've never bought it as a spice on its own but I'm totally intrigued now! And yes, pork and fruit is a perfect match!

        Reply
        • Marisa Franca Stewart

          October 15, 2017 at 8:18 am

          We use it on any meat we want. We especially like it with chicken.

          Reply
          • BigFlavorsFromATinyKitchen

            October 19, 2017 at 11:13 am

            I'll have to try that, Marisa!

            Reply
    5. Lynette

      October 14, 2017 at 5:15 pm

      Chili LIME cherries? I have never heard of anything like that - and I think they sound awesome! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    6. Carrie Ditton

      October 15, 2017 at 1:22 pm

      I love a one dish dinner and the flavor combination sounds wonderful, especially the cherries.

      Reply
    7. Lois. O

      October 15, 2017 at 7:30 pm

      I never knew you could eat the skin of some squash! I never even thought of looking it up, I just assumed that the skin was inedible. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    8. Carol Borchardt

      October 15, 2017 at 7:51 pm

      This is such an interesting flavor combination! I would never have thought to pair pork with squash but yeah, why not! Great idea!

      Reply
      • BigFlavorsFromATinyKitchen

        October 19, 2017 at 11:13 am

        Thanks, Carol! It's a fun change of pace from the typical squash recipes I've had in the past.

        Reply
    9. Tina Lindquist

      October 15, 2017 at 9:53 pm

      I love cooking pork, my husband always likes it and he's my taste tester. I have used Tajin before and really like it too. This looks Great!

      Reply
      • BigFlavorsFromATinyKitchen

        October 19, 2017 at 11:13 am

        I need to do more experimenting with Tajin - seems like there are a lot of fun uses for it!

        Reply
    10. Prasanna Hede

      October 15, 2017 at 10:13 pm

      Those cherries are interesting! I do not eat pork but this recipe looks so amazing!

      Reply
      • BigFlavorsFromATinyKitchen

        October 19, 2017 at 11:14 am

        I think this would work with other proteins, too!

        Reply
    11. FoodieGirlChicago

      October 15, 2017 at 11:07 pm

      Such an interesting flavor combo in this dish! This one is going on my list of recipes to try.

      Reply
      • BigFlavorsFromATinyKitchen

        October 19, 2017 at 11:14 am

        It really is a fun mix of flavors. I always enjoy recipes that are flavorful without being overly complicated.

        Reply
    12. Kimberly @ Berly's Kitchen

      October 16, 2017 at 8:02 am

      This recipe looks like something my husband would really enjoy. I'm intrigued by those cherries! They sound super tasty.

      Reply
      • BigFlavorsFromATinyKitchen

        October 19, 2017 at 11:14 am

        My husband has been ALL about this dish! The cherries are a lot of fun - sweet and tart with a little kick of heat. YUM!

        Reply
    13. Cheryl Vivian | neurotic baker

      October 16, 2017 at 8:35 pm

      This looks so delicious. I'm always looking for new ways to cook pork.

      Reply
      • BigFlavorsFromATinyKitchen

        October 19, 2017 at 11:15 am

        Me too! I think back to when I had pork as a kid and how unexciting it was - but no more!

        Reply
    14. Osiris

      October 18, 2017 at 2:56 pm

      Love me some food blogs! Yum!!

      Reply
      • BigFlavorsFromATinyKitchen

        October 19, 2017 at 11:15 am

        Thanks for stopping by 🙂

        Reply
    15. BigFlavorsFromATinyKitchen

      October 19, 2017 at 11:12 am

      They're SO good - sweet and tart with a little kick of heat. Really fun ingredient (or just to snack on!)

      Reply
    16. BigFlavorsFromATinyKitchen

      October 19, 2017 at 11:12 am

      Right? It totally blew my mind when I realized that, too. I've been loving it lately, and my 5-year-old is *obsessed* with eating the skin (he sometimes ONLY wants to eat the skin... what a weirdo) 😉

      Reply
    17. GrammieO

      October 20, 2017 at 10:11 am

      Sounds delicious to me.....and I like the one pot idea even better.....thanks for a great recipe.

      Reply
      • BigFlavorsFromATinyKitchen

        October 20, 2017 at 10:46 am

        Thank you! It's been on heavy rotation in my house lately - hope you enjoy it if you give it a try 🙂

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Ashley and I’ve been writing about food & recipes here at Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen since 2006. I want to help you (yes, you!) gain confidence in the kitchen so you are excited to cook at home for yourself and your loved ones.

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