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Stuffed Pumpkin

17/11/2023

Stuffed pumpkin is a delicious and comforting dish, perfect for the fall and winter seasons. Now I will present you a recipe that can be personalized to your tastes and preferences. For an all-Italian touch, we will incorporate typical ingredients of Mediterranean cuisine.

Ingredients

  • 1 medium pumpkin (such as Delica or butternut)
  • 200 g of rice (preferably Carnaroli or Arborio)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • As needed vegetable broth
  • 100 g of cubed pancetta (optional for a vegetarian version)
  • 100 g of grated Parmesan cheese
  • 50 g of butter
  • Fresh sage
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • (Optional) mixed vegetables (such as zucchini, mushrooms, or peppers) diced

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
  2. Cut off the top of the pumpkin and remove the seeds and fibrous insides with a spoon. If desired, score it slightly on the inside with a knife and season with oil, salt, and pepper.
  3. Place the pumpkin and its “hat” on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for about 20-30 minutes, until the flesh begins to soften, but the pumpkin still retains its shape.
  4. In the meantime, prepare the filling. Sauté the chopped onion in a little oil and, if using pancetta, add it now until it becomes crispy.
  5. Add the rice and toast for a couple of minutes. Then start adding the vegetable broth little by little, like for risotto, cooking and stirring constantly.
  6. If opting for additional vegetables, cook them separately and then incorporate them into the risotto almost at the end of cooking.
  7. When the rice is cooked al dente, turn off the heat, add the butter, Parmesan and adjust the salt and pepper.
  8. Remove the pumpkin from the oven, fill it with the risotto, add a few sage leaves for aroma and put the cut top back on as a lid.
  9. Bake the stuffed pumpkin again for another 10-15 minutes, so that the flavors blend well.
  10. Serve the stuffed pumpkin hot, cutting it into wedges or allowing guests to serve themselves directly at the table.

Curiosity

Pumpkin is used in many ways in the kitchen and in addition to being very tasty, it is also very healthy, being rich in vitamin A and carotenoids, important for eye and skin health. The use of stuffed pumpkin is common in different culinary traditions, often with fillings that vary according to cultures and seasonal availability. The Italian version often involves the use of risotto, emphasizing the love for rice-based dishes.