Pumpkin is one of the most popular vegetables – rich in vitamins and anti-oxidants. It contains low calories, and is rich in dietary fiber and minerals. Pumpkin is not only eaten as a vegetable but is also used in making varied unique mouth watering recipes like soups, pickles, pies, ravioli, cakes, cookies, baked pumpkin among others. Here are 5 unique pumpkin recipes with a twist.
1. Pumpkin Pickle
Complexity level: Easy
Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
a) Pumpkin-1
b) Lemon-1
c) Salt â 1 tbsp
d) Sugar- 5 cups
e) Black peppercorns- 20 nos
f) Ginger- ¼ cup
g) Cinnamon- 2 sticks
h) Cider vinegar- 3 cups
Method:
Peel the strips of lemon zest with the help of a peeler. Take a non-reactive pan and mix together zest, vinegar, sugar, peppercorns, cinnamon, salt and ginger. Simmer and dissolve sugar for 5 minutes. Then add pumpkin and occasionally stir for 15 minutes till the pumpkin turns crisp and tender.
Transfer the pumpkin pickle to a sterilized jar with the help of a slotted spoon. Pour cooking liquid till ¼ inch of the jar top. Then seal and refrigerate and use it within 1 week. For longer storage, sterilize jars as per instructions of canning jar manufacturer.
2. Soft Pumpkin Cookies
Complexity level: Easy
Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
a) Pumpkin Puree-1 cup
b) Flour- ½ cup
c) Baking soda- 1/4 tsp
d) Whole wheat flour- 1/2 cup
e) Ground allspice- 1/4 tsp
f) Cinnamon- 1/2 tsp
g) Salt- 1/4 tsp
h) Honey- 3 tbsp
i) Egg white- 1
j) Vegetable oil- 1/4 cup
k) Light brown sugar- 1/4 cup
l) Chopped walnuts- 1/3 cup
m) Dried cranberries or raisins- 1/2 cup
Method:
- Coat the baking tray with cooking spray. Preheat oven to about 350°F. Take a medium bowl and sift together flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, all spices, salt and cinnamon.
- Then take a large bowl and whip together honey, sugar, egg white and oil. Stir in pumpkin puree and then stir in the flour mixture till it gets evenly moistened. Add dried walnuts and cranberries as per wish.
- For every cookie, pour 1 teaspoon dough into the baking sheet with 1 inch space apart.
- Bake the cookie for 15 minutes. Leave it to stand for 1 minute. Remove with the help of metal spatula and transfer in airtight containers.
3. Baked Pumpkin
Complexity level: Easy
Time Taken: 35 minutes
Ingredients:
a) Pumpkin puree- 2 cups
b) Flour- 1/2 cup
c) Melted butter- 1/4 cup
d) Sugar- 1 cup
e) Eggs- 2
f) Milk- 1 cup
g) Baking soda- 1/4 tsp
h) Cinnamon- 1/4 tsp
i) Salt- 1/4 tsp
j) Vanilla- 1 tsp
Method:
- Preheat oven to approximately 450°F.
- Thoroughly mix all the ingredients in a medium bowl.
- Pour the mixture in a greased baking sheet and bake it for about 30 minutes.
- Baked Pumpkin is ready to be served.
4. Pumpkin Soup
Complexity level: Easy
Time Taken: 35 minutes
Ingredients:
a) Diced pumpkin- 1 pound
b) Salt- 1/4 tsp
c) Pepper- 1/4 tsp
d) Butter- 1 tbsp
e) Grated cheese- 1 tbsp
f) Tomato puree- 1 tbsp
g) Crushed garlic cloves- 2
h) Chicken stock- 3 cups
i) Chopped onion- 1
Method:
- Heat saucepan and melt butter. Add garlic cloves and chopped onion and stir and cook for 4 minutes till translucent.
- Add diced pumpkin and cook for another 3 minutes till the pumpkin becomes softened.
- Then gradually add each of paste and stock and bring to boil on high heat. Cover and bring to low simmer. Cook for another 20 minutes till pumpkin turns tender.
- Pour the mixture to a mixer and puree till smooth. Then add grated cheese and add seasoning (salt and pepper).
- Pumpkin soup is ready to be served.
5. Pumpkin Pie
Complexity level: Easy
Time Taken: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
a) Pumpkin puree- 1-2 cups
b) Egg yolks- 2
c) Evaporated whole milk- 3/4 cup
d) Egg whites- 3
e) Pumpkin pie spice- 2 tsp
f) Dark brown sugar- 1/2 cup
g) Maple syrup- 1/4 cup
h) Margarine- 2 tbsp
Method:
- Preheat oven to about 375°F. Place the pie crust in a 9â pie plate. Create a rope edge.
- Pour pumpkin puree, egg yolks, milk, syrup, sugar, pumpkin pie spice and sugar in a bowl and blend with the help of an electric mixer.
- In a separate bowl, whip the egg whites still stiff. Pour it to the pumpkin mixture and then pour the final batter into the crust. Pumpkin pie is ready.
