Maccheroni with Pumpkin Cream and Shrimp Flambé

17/11/2023

I can provide you with a tasty recipe to prepare Maccheroni with Pumpkin Cream and Shrimp Flambé. Here are the ingredients and the method:

Ingredients

320 g of maccheroni
300 g of cleaned pumpkin
200 g of shelled shrimp (fresh or frozen)
50 ml of brandy or cognac for flambéing
1 clove of garlic
Extra virgin olive oil (to taste)
Chili pepper (optional)
Salt and pepper (to taste)
Chopped parsley for garnish
Light vegetable broth or water (as needed)

Preparazione

Start by cutting the pumpkin into cubes and stew it in a pan with a drizzle of oil and a clove of garlic, adding chili pepper if you like the dish a bit spicy. Cook over medium heat until the pumpkin becomes soft, adding vegetable broth or water if necessary to prevent it from sticking.
Meanwhile, in another pan, sauté the shelled shrimp with a drizzle of oil and a clove of garlic. When the shrimp are pink, remove the garlic and flambé with brandy or cognac. To do this, heat the liquor in a small pot, pour it over the shrimp and tilt the pan slightly to bring the liquid closer to the flame, or use a lighter to ignite the brandy. Let the alcohol completely evaporate.
Once the pumpkin is cooked, remove the garlic and blend with an immersion blender to create a smooth and homogeneous cream. Put the cream back into the pan, adjust for salt and pepper, and keep it warm.
Cook the maccheroni in plenty of salted water following the timing indicated on the package to achieve al dente texture. Drain the pasta and transfer it to the pan with the pumpkin cream. Mix gently to flavor the maccheroni with the cream.
Serve the maccheroni topping them with the flambéed shrimp and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley.

Curiosity

The flambé on the shrimp not only adds a touch of elegance to the preparation but also helps to intensify the flavor with the warm and slightly smoky notes of the brandy or cognac. Furthermore, the pumpkin, with its sweetness, pairs perfectly with the decisive taste of the crustaceans.

I hope this recipe inspires you for a dish full of flavors and colors, ideal to impress your guests with a touch of contemporary Italian cooking. Happy cooking and enjoy your meal!