Pumpkin is a classic winter vegetable and this way of preparing it both looks amazing and is deliciously different. The effect of bringing the whole giant pumpkin to the table and then opening the top to see the steaming mix inside is wonderfully theatrical. I love the tastes of the stuffing .The unusual combination of the sweetness of the pumpkin, the chewiness of the wheat, the bitterness of the cavolo nero and the earthiness of the mushrooms works really well .The addition of various spices, anchovies and goats cheese adds a lovely depth of flavour. All in all , this dish transforms the humble pumpkin into the belle of the ball.
• soak 200 gr organic whole wheat grains for about 4 hours
• cook them in some salted water for about 40 minutes, they should stay ‘ al dente’
• for gluten intolerance use activated buckwheat grains instead, but do not soak or cook them.
• 1 whole Kent pumpkin
• pre heat the oven to 180˚
• cut the top off the pumpkin and scoop out the seeds
• put the top back on to the pumpkin, wrap it in foil
• bake for about 1 hour ( depends on size of your pumpkin) until the flesh is soft
• take it out of the oven and when cool enough to handle
• scoop out the flesh
• make the stuffing:
• slice 2 Spanish onions
• 4 garlic cloves
• in a large fry pan, with a little butter and oil, cook until soft
• add 2 teaspoons of ground turmeric and cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
• 10 anchovies
• cut off the tough stalks of a bunch of the cavolo nero and roughly chop them
• add them to the pan, cook for about 15 minutes
• dice 8-10 mushrooms of your choice
• 100 gr shelled pistachio nuts
• mix them through the vegetables and cook for an other 10 minutes
• turn heat off and add
• 150 gr baby spinach
• some chopped Italian parsley
• salt and pepper
• add the cooked and drained wheat to the pumpkin and vegetables
• mix all through
• crumble 250 gr goats cheese feta and mix through vegetables
• fill the pumpkin shell with the mixture
• put the ‘lid’ back on
• bake for about 20 minutes in 180˚ oven
• Buon appetito!!