When we went pumpkin picking recently, we may have been over enthusiastic in the amount of orange gourds that we returned with, particularly those described as 'munchkins'.
Straight away I knew what I wanted to do with them; far too perfect to not be enjoyed whole, they were crying out to be stuffed with a delicious vegetarian concoction.
Mini Stuffed Pumpkins
- Makes: 1 pumpkin serves 1 person, multiply for the right amount of 'guests'
- Preparation time: 20 minutes
- Cooking time: 35-45 minutes
Ingredients
- munchkin pumpkins, 1 for each person
- a knob of butter
- 3 blocks/pellets of frozen spinach
- 1tbsp mascarpone
- small block of blue cheese (matchbox size), crumbled
- black pepper for seasoning
- basmati rice mixed with mediterranean vegetables (peppers, courgette, onions, etc)
- grated parmesan
You'll also need:
- a sharp knife
- metal, circular (pastry) cutter
- Press the cutter down into the top of the munchkin pumpkin to mark out the area to be cut, then carefully cut down into the hollow centre of the pumpkin all the way around the circle. I am a little clumsy with a knife, so actually hammered the cutter down to cut through the tough exterior, then used the knife to prise the lid off.
- Remove the lid and scoop out all the pith and seeds. Slice the pith and seeds from the bottom of the lid.
- Wilt the frozen spinach with butter in the microwave for one minute. Stir through the mascarpone cheese and season with black pepper.
- Crumble in the blue cheese and fold in the rice mixture.
- Divide the mixture between the pumpkins up to the bottom ledge of the lid area. (This will allow expansion space for the rice as it cooks).
- Replace the lid loosely and place on a baking tray. Place this baking tray on a large and deep baking tray with water in, this will help keep the pumpkin moist as it is roasting.
- Cook in the oven on 190°C/375°C/Gas Mark 5 for 35-45 minutes until the pumpkin's sides are soft to the touch.
- Remove the lid and sprinkle on some grated parmesan. Replace the lid and return the over for a further two minutes for the cheese to melt.
- Serve with salad for a light lunch, or with spring green vegetables and a chicken breast/grilled tofu.
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They look fantastic- I think cheese makes any meal great- but the pumpkin must have been delicious. What an excellent idea.
these look very cute – mini pumpkins just look so adorable somehow x
Oh my goodness how cute are those. And how tasty do they look I would never have thought of this. Love it x
I love pumpkins in any and every form, so full of flavour and filling too. Couple of questions, do you precook the rice? Do you squeeze the moisture out of the spinach before adding the cheese? I would be inclined to do both but the recipe doesn'tr say so. Thanks
Oh good questions, but you tricksy lady trying to test me! The rice mix was actually a Birds' Eye microwaveable rice mix, but I do believe that the basmati rice was uncooked. And no I didn't press the spinach out, the extra liquid is absorbed by the rice when it cooks and helps to keep the pumpkin moist.
I was wondering about the rice as well…was just going to ask. these sound delicious and I am going to have to try something similar, thanks for this
These sound delicious and they look pretty special too, think we need to try pumpkin picking!
Such a triumph – I really want to try them. One day I really am going to come round for tea, right? Riiiiiight?
Thanks so much for linking up to #recipeoftheweek. There's a new linky live now, so I do hope you'll pop over and join in, especially as I've included these in the showcase 🙂
Brilliant!
These look so cute – think the very strong blue cheese flavour would compliment the pumpkin so well.