Pumpkin and Mushroom Crêpes

Pumpkin and mushroom crêpes are a warm and comforting dish, perfect for the fall and winter seasons. Here’s how to prepare them with an Italian twist:

Ingredients

For the crêpes:

• 100 g of flour
• 2 eggs
• 250 ml of milk
• A pinch of salt

For the filling:

• 300 g of cleaned pumpkin
• 200 g of mixed mushrooms (you can use champignons, porcini, etc.)
• 1 shallot
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Nutmeg to taste (optional)
• Chopped parsley (for garnish)

For the béchamel sauce:

• 30 g of butter
• 30 g of flour
• 500 ml of milk
• Salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste

Preparation

For the crêpes:

1. Beat the eggs in a bowl, add the flour, salt, and mix.
2. Gradually pour in the milk to avoid forming lumps and work the batter until it is smooth.
3. Let the batter rest for about 30 minutes.
4. Heat a lightly oiled non-stick pan and pour a ladle of batter, tilting the pan to spread it evenly.
5. Cook the crêpe for about 1 minute per side or until they are lightly golden. Repeat with the remaining batter.

For the filling:

1. Dice the pumpkin and finely slice the mushrooms and shallot.
2. In a pan, heat the olive oil and sauté the shallot until translucent.
3. Add the mushrooms and cook until they are golden brown.
4. Add the pumpkin, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Cook until the pumpkin is tender.
5. Once cooked, you can blend everything to obtain a smoother filling or leave it chunky for a rustic texture.

For the béchamel sauce:

1. Melt the butter in a pot over medium heat.
2. Add the flour and whisk quickly to form a roux.
3. Slowly pour in the milk, continuing to stir to avoid lumps.
4. Cook until the béchamel thickens, adding salt, pepper, and nutmeg to taste.

Assembly:

1. Take a crêpe and place some of the pumpkin and mushroom filling in the center.
2. Roll up or fold the filled crêpe into quarters.
3. Arrange the crêpes in an oven dish, cover with the béchamel sauce, and, if desired, add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
4. Bake at 180 °C for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.
5. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Curiosity

Crêpes are considered the Italian version of the famous French crêpes. In Italy, they come in both sweet and savory varieties and are cooked in many different ways, depending on the region and local traditions. With pumpkin and mushrooms, we embrace a combination of flavors that is very much appreciated, especially in central and northern Italy, where these ingredients are commonly used in autumnal cuisine.