Embrace the Flavours of Autumn: Delicious Seasonal Recipes Featuring Pumpkin
As the air turns crisp and the leaves transform into a vibrant palette of reds and golds, it's time to welcome the glorious season of autumn. And what better way to celebrate the arrival of Autumn than by indulging in the rich and comforting flavors it brings? Among the many delightful ingredients that grace our kitchens during this time, pumpkin for us at least takes centre stage. From hearty soups to delectable desserts, it truly is the most versatile Autumn Vegetable.
So without further ado let's explore a collection of autumn-inspired recipes that will satisfy your taste buds and warm your soul.
There's nothing quite as comforting as a bowl of warm soup on a chilly autumn day. Pumpkin soup combines the earthy sweetness of pumpkin with aromatic spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
Our favorite recipe is relatively simple, just sauté some onions and garlic, add in pumpkin puree, chicken broth, and your favorite spices. Let it simmer until the flavors meld together, add some cream then blend until smooth. Finish it off with a drizzle of cream and a sprinkle of toasted pumpkin seeds for a delightful.
For the full recipe visit BBC Good Food here.
2. Roasted Pumpkin Risotto:
Risotto is a classic Italian dish that adapts beautifully to the flavors of the season. Our family recipe goes a little something like this... roast cubes of pumpkin until caramelized and tender. In a separate pan, sauté 2 shallots and some crushed garlic, then add Arborio rice and cook until lightly toasted. Gradually ladle in vegetable broth, stirring constantly until the rice is creamy and al dente. Fold in the roasted pumpkin, Parmesan cheese, and a sprinkle of fresh thyme. The result is a velvety and comforting dish that embodies autumn on a plate.
But for something a bit more precise we found the NZ Herald recipe easy to follow and delicious, check it out here.
3. Pumpkin and Sage Stuffed Shells:
Luxuriously creamy, rich and comforting this recipe has it all! Cooked jumbo pasta shells filled with a mixture of pumpkin puree, ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, and finely chopped fresh sage. The combination of pumpkin's creamy sweetness and the earthy aroma of sage makes this an irresistible autumn-inspired meal.
Check out this moreish recipe from Damn Delicious here.
4. Pumpkin Pancakes:
Bring the flavors of a cozy autumn morning to your breakfast table with pumpkin pancakes. We know this one sounds a bit odd but trust us you will love it!
Easy to make within 30 minutes and producing light and fluffy pancakes this recipe from The New York Times has it all and tastes delicious with a good dollop of cream and Maple Syrup.
Check out the full recipe here.
5. Pumpkin Bread Pudding:
Our final recipe offers an autumn inspired twist on a traditional old favorite, bread pudding! Ridiculously easy to make this recipe is delicious and will be a firm favorite for the whole family.
Simply cut or tear day-old bread into chunks and place them in a baking dish. In a bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and a blend of warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Pour the mixture over the bread and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the bread to absorb the liquid. Bake until golden and set, then serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream. This comforting treat will leave you wanting seconds.
For more detailed instructions see this recipe from My Baking Addiction here.
Top Tips:
One of our top tips for dealing with pumpkins is to use silicone utensils, pumpkin puree can be very sticky and given all the delicious things you can do with it you don't want to waste a drop so with this type of material it will just slide off.
The Zeal Cooks Spoon is probably our go to which can be purchased here.
Another kitchen tool we couldn't live without is the Joseph Joseph Garlic Rocker. This tool is just what it says on the tin, but the design is ingenious. There is no compartment for the crushed garlic to get stuck in, so you get the entire clove in your recipe and this means they're so simple to clean for this exact reason. These can be purchased here
So whether you're enjoying a bowl of creamy pumpkin soup, savoring a comforting plate of roasted pumpkin risotto we hope you enjoy all the flavours the season can bring!