No star anise what l can l use?

griffo4, May 14, 9:24am
l am going to roast some pumpkin with balsamic vinegar dressing and l have no star anise can l go without it or is there something else l can use in its place?
lt has olive oil, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, orange juice and zest and star anise
Any thoughts and ideas greatly appreciated

cap, May 14, 9:29am
Maybe some fennel seeds if you have those - they have that aniseed flavour.

cap, May 14, 9:30am
Actually could you share the recipe please - I love roasted pumpkin! Personally I hate aniseed flavour so for me I wouldn't need the star anise or fennel seed.

griffo4, May 14, 9:36am
Thanks cap l hate fennel seed taste so will go without l will type it out later for you

cookessentials, May 14, 9:40am
dill or cumin can also be used if you dont like dill - I like cumin

griffo4, May 14, 10:02am
Thanks cooks l have cumin l will put some of that in

griffo4, May 14, 10:43am
Here you are cap this is from a Foodtown mag

Roasted pumpkin

1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 orange, juice and zest
2-3 star anise

500g pumpkin or large squash
2 small red onions

250g baby lettuce leaves
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, toasted
goats cheese or greek yoghurt (optional)

Preheat oven 180C
Combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, orange juice and zest and star anise and whisk together well to make dressing
Remove seeds from pumpkin and cut into wedges or thick slices
Peel and cut the onions into quarters
Toss pumpkin and onion in half balsamic dressing and arrange pieces on a baking paper lined oven tray
Roast 20-25 minutes or until golden and tender
Arrange baby lettuce of serving platter and top with the roasted pumpkin and onions drizzle with the remaining balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with pumpkin seeds
Serve with soft goats cheese or thick greek yoghurt, if using

daleaway, May 14, 11:20am
Chinese five spice powder.

bisloy, May 14, 3:18pm
I agree daleaway

griffo4, May 15, 5:11pm
l made this using cumin seeds and it was really nice but l will get some star anise before l make it again

jyc22, May 16, 5:19pm
I agree, chinese five spice powder

crystalmoon, May 16, 6:11pm
yip, I'd say Chinese Five Spice too, yummy

cap, May 17, 9:11am
Thanks very much for posting the recipe - sounds lovely. Did you let the pumpkin cool down a bit or eat it hot?

griffo4, May 10, 5:09pm
We ate them hot and they were nice it didn't say in the recipe so l just did it that way but you could let it cool down a bit as it did wilt the lettuce a bit l also put feta cheese with the lettuce and a bit of pepper as well for colour and it was nice l got lots of compliments about it