Beef Stew with Pumpkin and Potatoes

Here’s an Italian recipe for a beef stew with pumpkin and potatoes that will bring an autumnal touch to your table.

Ingredients

• 600 g of beef stew
• 400 g of peeled pumpkin
• 300 g of potatoes
• 1 onion
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 500 ml of beef or vegetable broth
• 200 ml of tomato puree
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• A few sprigs of rosemary
• 1 bay leaf
• Red wine (optional for deglazing the meat)

Preparation

1. Start by cutting the pumpkin and potatoes into cubes not too small, so that they hold their shape during cooking.
2. Finely chop the onion and garlic.
3. In a large pot, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and add the chopped onion and garlic to sauté until they become translucent.
4. Add the beef stew and brown it until it’s well sealed on all sides. If you wish, you can deglaze with a bit of red wine and let the alcohol evaporate.
5. Add the tomato puree, pumpkin cubes, potatoes, rosemary, bay leaf, salt, and pepper to taste.
6. Cover with the beef or vegetable broth and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer with the lid on for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the meat is tender and the vegetables are cooked.
7. Occasionally check the consistency of the stew and, if necessary, add more broth to prevent it from drying out too much.
8. Adjust salt and pepper and, if you like, you can add a pinch of chili pepper for a spicy touch.

Once ready, the beef stew with pumpkin and potatoes can be served hot, perhaps accompanied by a slice of homemade bread or some polenta.

Curiosity

Stew is a dish that comes from peasant cooking and is widespread in Italy. Each region has its variation and the use of pumpkin makes it a perfect version for autumn, when the pumpkin is in season and has a sweet and comforting flavor.