RECIPE

SAVORY SUGAR PUMPKIN ROASTED WITH LIME

 

*****February 2021 "HSN Dinner at Home" winner*****
 source: Todd Breyer

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Slice *Pumpkin in half top to bottom and scoop out the seeds and any stringy/slimy material.  (Seeds may be set aside, washed, liberally salted, and slow-roasted separately at 275 to 300 for 45 mins to an hour for a special tasty treat.  Stir a couple times.)   Slice cleaned Pumpkin into long 1” to 1.5” thick wedges and then cut each of those in half at the equator.   Place in large bowl and coat with Olive Oil, a little Butter, Salt and Pepper to taste.  Then sprinkle with Lime Juice.  Place on a baking sheet, skin-side down to roast.  Check and sprinkle again with Lime Juice about half way through the roasting process.  Roast until fork tender (approx. 30 to 40 minutes total).  Sprinkle with fresh (or prepared) chopped Thyme if desired before serving.  Good warm, hot, or cold.

If you choose to peel the skin from the Pumpkin before cooking and cut into chunks, then toss them half way through roasting, which may then not take as long.  Seasoning option variations:  A) Garlic and Chili Powder, or B) combinations of Lemon, Soy Sauce, Ginger, Honey, Brown Sugar, and Cinnamon, or C) Rosemary.    Also good in Salads with vinaigrette. 

*Note:  If no fresh Sugar (Pie) Pumpkins are available (these are the smaller, 2 to 4 lbs lightly ridged ones about 6” diam. often sold with the squash rather than the jack-o-lanterns), you may substitute your favorite Winter Squash such as Candy Roaster, Acorn, Red Kuri, Kabocha, Butternut, etc. or another culinary Pumpkin, from your Grocer or Farmers Market. 

PSA:  Sugar pumpkin is rich in vitamin A. It's also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. Eating sugar pumpkin may help support eye health, as well as cardiovascular and digestive health. In addition, it may assist in preventing certain kinds of cancer.  And it is much more pliable and easier to cut up than many other hard Winter Squash.  Mild flavor and smooth consistency.