Pumpkin Meatloaf

Here is a recipe for pumpkin meatloaf, a tasty vegetarian dish that can be an excellent main course or a substantial side dish.

Ingredients

• 600 g of cleaned pumpkin
• 100 g of breadcrumbs
• 50 g of grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 eggs
• 1 small onion
• 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley
• 1 pinch of nutmeg
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil

Preparation

1. Start by cleaning the pumpkin, removing the skin and seeds, and cutting it into pieces. Bake it in the oven at 180 °C for about 30 minutes or until soft.
2. Once cooked, mash the pumpkin with a fork or pass it through a potato masher until it turns into a puree.
3. In a large bowl, pour the pumpkin puree and add the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, eggs, finely chopped onion, parsley, a pinch of nutmeg, salt, and pepper to your taste. Mix all the ingredients well until you get a homogeneous mixture.
4. If the mixture is too soft, add a little more breadcrumbs to achieve the desired consistency.
5. Transfer the mixture onto a sheet of parchment paper and shape it into a meatloaf by helping yourself with moistened hands.
6. Bake the pumpkin meatloaf at 180 °C for about 40-45 minutes or until the surface is golden and crisp.
7. Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before cutting it into slices and serving.

Curiosity

Pumpkin is a very versatile vegetable in the kitchen and rich in beneficial properties. It is mostly made up of water, so it is light and hydrating, but it also contains fiber, vitamins, and carotenoids, which are important for eye and skin health.

Remember that this is a basic version; if you feel creative, you can add other ingredients such as chopped walnuts, poppy seeds, or aromatic herbs to your liking to enhance the flavor of the meatloaf. Enjoy your meal!