Pumpkin Recipes

Some Global Pumpkin Recipes
By Ric The Chef

Hey everyone--Didja get your Pumpkins for carving yet?
Well now, be green kiddies, be green!
In the words of most of our elders who were around during the depression--Waste not want not.
All of the pumpkin "guts" get made into stock and roasted pumkpin seeds and the eyes, noses, ears and grins that are cut out of the pumpkin are good edible stuff, too.
When I was a little kid, I remember "Little Nonni"--my father's mother Mary, all 4'9" of her stoic Sicilian self, taking the pieces of pumpkin face that we kids were cutting out from the newspapered floor. In a few minutes there was golden, breaded and fried chunks of pumpkin on a field of warm tomato sauce, blanketed by the snow of grated Romano cheese.
I have recreated that simple recipe and have added three more--goin' round the world, using pumpkin as the centerpiece of these recipes.
Enjoy!

Pumpkin Stock
To make “pumpkin stock" remove the membranes and seeds from the squash you are using. Put in a heavy pot, and cover with water by at least 2 inches. Add a pinch of salt and bring to a boil. Cook at a moderate boil for 15 minutes and reduce to a simmer. Cook for one hour, adding a little more water if necessary to keep the squash covered. Strain, squeezing the flavor out of the pulp. Use for soups, stews and making risotto.

Peru
El Locro
El Locros is a South American Stew that always features Pumpkin, squash and corn and sometimes also has potatoes pork and even cheese, Tonight’s rendition will be vegetarian, hearty and rich. If you want to add a couple of pigs feet or ham hock, I won't stop you, in fact, I will cheer you on!!

olive oil as needed
2 cups pumpkin, peeled and seeded
(You may use any winter squash here)
2 cups potatoes, peeled and diced
1 medium onion, chopped
2 clove garlic, smashed
1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped
1 fresh hot chile of your choice, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon paprika
1 can (16 ounces) white beans, drained and rinsed
1 can 28 oz Posole ( Hominy) or fresh or frozen corn
1 can (16 ounces) whole peeled tomatoes, crushed in a bowl
8 cups water or “pumpkin Stock” see below
1/2 cup cilantro, minced
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cup cheddar or jack cheese, grated
Using a box grater or the grating attachment on a food processor, shred the 2 cups of squash set aside. Dice the rest into large stew chunks, about 1” square.
In a Dutch Oven coat the bottom with a olive oil. Heat olive oil to medium. Add the onion and bell pepper. Cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, jalapeno and paprika. Continue cooking, stirring, for 2 minutes or until the spices mellow. Add the squash, white beans, posole, potatoes, tomatoes, water, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Lower the heat, set on the cover askew, and simmer the stew for 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally, or until the squash is very tender.
Add the cilantro and cream. Stir in the cheese a little at a time to melt. Serve Hot!

Pumpkin Fritters Fra Diavolo

My Grandmother Mary was a true Sicilian--she loved to fry vegetables. As kids, when we cut our Jack'o' lanterns, the noses, eyes, mouths and other dismembered sections were deftly encrusted in lightly seasoned breadcrumbs, kissed by the oil and allowed to steam in the delicate casing. Yes, pumpkin is one of my favorite veggies to fry alla Nona! Serve these on a pool a zesty tomato sauce and hit them with a quick grating of Locatelli Romano while they are still hot.

Serves 4

Ricter scale 4

1 medium 3-4 pound Pumpkin

flour, eggs and plain bread crumbs as needed

grapeseed or vegetable oil for frying

salt and pepper

1 16 oz can Organic tomatoes, crushed

1 small hot pepper or a pinch of crushed red pepper

1 garlic clove, minced

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 pinch of dry oregano

2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional)

Locatelli Romano cheese or other very sharp grating cheese

In a medium pot or large skillet, add the olive oil, garlic and hot pepper. When the garlic begins to sizzle and get golden edges, add the tomatoes and oregano. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and gently simmer until you have finished your frying. This can also be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Cut the top off of the pumpkin and scrape out the seeds and guts. Reserve for "stock".

Wedge the pumpkin and carefully shave off the skin with a sharp knife. Slice into ¼ thick slices.

Set up a breading station:

one pan of flour seasoned to taste with salt and pepper

one dish with 2 eggs scrambled with ¼ cup of cool water

one pan of unseasoned bread crumbs

Working with one hand, dip and coat a piece of pumpkin in flour and shake of excess. Now dip in egg wash, shake off and finally coat in breadcrumbs. Lay on parchment or waxed paper. Continue until all pumpkin is breaded.

In a cast iron skillet, heavy wok or Dutch oven heat 1 inch of oil to about 325-335 degrees. Keep a lid on hand to snuff out any flare-ups.

Fry pieces until golden on one side, carefully turn and finish for about 60 seconds. Line a cookie sheet with paper towels and put each piece on the paper to absorb any remaining oil.

Line each of four plates with hot tomato sauce. Arrange hot pumpkin slices on the plates attractively and garnish with a generous grating of Romano cheese and parsley--Amazing!

Pumpkin Mulligawtawny

This most popular Indian lentil soup has been made so many ways, one never really knows how authentic their version is. The recipe I have been preparing for the last 7 years is based on the soup made at India Pavilion in Central Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The soup there is smooth with red lentils and has a nice lemony accent. Chunks of Pumpkin add texture and brightness.

1 medium onion, diced

2 1x1 cubes of ginger

5 medium garlic cloves

1 tsp curry powder

1 tsp black pepper

2 tsp kosher salt

1/4 cup ghee or vegetable oil

juice of two lemons

3 cups red split lentils

3 cups cubed pumpkin about 1"

1/2 gallon water with a touch of chicken or vegetable bouillon or...

chicken stock, vegetable stock

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Puree first ingredients in processor with 1/4 cup of water to make a paste.

In a heavy pot add ghee or oil and heat gently.

Add paste and saute until a beautiful aroma is released . Do not brown.

Add lentils and stir to coat thoroughly. Add stock and bring to a boil. Add the pumpkin. Reduce to a simmer and cook until lentils turn golden and begin to melt. Add cilantro and lemon juice. Adjust salt of needed.

Serve in bowls with grilled pita or nan.

Thai Pumpkin Curry

This is one of my all time favorite dishes. It is real Southeast Asian comfort food, mildly spiced, nicely perfumed and rib sticking at the same time.

Serves 4-6

4 cups pumpkin cut into large 1 1/2” chunks

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 medium onion, diced

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1 large shallot, chopped

2 cloves garlic chopped

4 tablespoons Thai Masaman curry paste ( available in Asian markets or online)

1 large carrot, peeled sliced onto coins

1 sweet bell pepper, seeded and medium dice

2 cup peeled, cubed potatoes

3 cups packaged vegetable or chicken broth

or water

2 14 oz cans coconut milk

2 tablespoons fish sauce

2 kaffir lime leaves (optional)

juice of one lime

1 small bunch fresh cilantro, rough chopped

1 small bunch of mint, roughly chopped

4 scallions, sliced into rounds.

In a heavy casserole, add the onions, crushed pepper, shallots, garlic, carrot , bell pepper and curry paster. Saute and stir until it all is wilted and coated with curry. Add the pumpkin and potatoes and toss to coat. Add all remaining ingredients except the herbs. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat o a gentle simmer and cook covered for 35-40 minutes or until pumpkin is cooked through. Serve in bowls, garnished with cilantro, mint and scallions

Jamaican Pumpkin Rice

This is the ultimate side for Jerk, oxtails and curry.

1/4 stick butter

2 tbls vegetable oil

2 cloves garlic minced

1 white onion finely chopped

1/4 cup chopped scallion, white and green parts

3 cups water or chicken stock

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground

1 1/2 teaspoons ground allspice

2 sprigs fresh thyme

2 cups pumpkin cubed and peeled

1 cup water

1 scotch bonnet pepper, left whole but scored

1 1/2 cups long grain or basmati rice

In a Dutch oven, melt the butter with the oil and saute the garlic, onion, and scallionuntil they are limp. Add a cup of stock (water may be used in stocks place) and bring to a boil. Add the salt, pepper, allspice, thyme sprigs, and pumpkin (yam or squash may be substituted). Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for about an half an hour, stirring occassionally. The pumpkin should be tender. Add more stock if necessary.

Remove the thyme sprigs and add the remaining stock and water. Bring to a boil and add the rice. Stir once. Put the hot pepper on top of the rice. Cower the heat and cover. Simmer for approximately 25 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked and all the liquid has been absorbed. Let rest covered for 10 minutes before serving.

You can remove the pepper or serve it to your best “friend”.

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