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Cooking is a joyful experience that allows for creativity in the kitchen. Whether preparing a therapeutic dish with spices, fresh produce, or other elements, the feeling of accomplishment when successfully crafting a recipe is unmatched. This joy is heightened when working with versatile ingredients like pumpkins, which, although available year-round, are often associated with autumn. Pumpkins seamlessly integrate into both savory and sweet recipes, from warm soups to breads and desserts.
Whether you're an occasional or regular cook, exploring well-loved pumpkin recipes can be a delightful culinary adventure. Pumpkins, known for their flexibility, enhance both domestic and internationally-inspired dishes. A long standing favorite in Indian kitchens, pumpkins evoke fond childhood memories of mothers attempting to incorporate them into meals. As you embark on your cooking journey, here are some amazing pumpkin recipes to allow this humble yet versatile produce to impress your taste buds.
Scrumptious pumpkin recipes to try in your kitchens
1. Pumpkin soup
A hearty pumpkin soup recipe is among the most popular and easy-to-make dishes using pumpkin. Achieving a delicate balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors, a well-crafted pumpkin soup recipe offers a multi-dimensional taste that will have you eagerly finishing your bowl. Next time you crave a filling yet light meal, consider trying a comforting bowl of pumpkin soup.
2. White pumpkin juice
White pumpkin juice, also known as ash gourd juice, is highly regarded for its numerous health benefits, both internally and externally. White pumpkin earns its name from the transformation of its fuzzy green exterior into a powdery white layer as it ripens. Packed with health-enhancing properties, including anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting attributes, white pumpkin juice is considered a magical drink and a valuable addition to your daily diet.
3. Pumpkin curry
As pumpkin is often associated with autumn, there's nothing more comforting than a warm and hearty curry served with rice. While Indian kitchens have long used pumpkin in spicier recipes, this creamy, coconut-based pumpkin curry offers a less spicy alternative. Try this delightful dish served with rice for the perfect meal on a chilly day, and pumpkin curry might just become your new go-to favorite.
4. Pumpkin pie
Pumpkin pie, one of the most famous pumpkin sweet recipes around the world, is a slice of heaven on the plate. An important part of the festival of Thanksgiving in the US, pumpkin pie is a dessert that has a significant place in a culture. Even outside the US, pumpkin pie is one of the most popular pumpkin sweet recipes with people especially liking the mouth-watering and unique flavour of this pie and gobbling it up.
5. Pumpkin bread
A quite well-often baked delicacy, pumpkin bread is a quick and easy dish to make, perfect for those who do not like too much sweetness in their food. Made by combining pumpkin puree with a bread batter, the resulting goodness will have anyone salivating. Use it as an ingredient in a dessert or simply enjoy it with tea or as is, pumpkin bread will put a smile on your face however you choose to eat it.
6. Pumpkin risotto
Risotto is a popular Italian food dish. Made of a specific type of rice grain combined with other ingredients such as butter, cheese, chicken or veggie stock, and various other items. However, the pumpkin-infused version is a popular vegetarian version of risotto that is preferred by people who follow a vegan diet. Giving the dish the depth it needs to tie everything together, along with the unique flavours of pumpkin itself, a pumpkin risotto is a must-try if you want to try some refreshing new Italian dishes.
7. Pumpkin kheer
If you thought pumpkin could only be used to spice up international desserts, think again. Kheer, a beloved Indian dessert and something that is a favourite of many, many people, is also a dish that gets elevated to another level when infused with a pumpkin flavour. The rich, yet unique flavour of the pumpkin adds a delicious note of taste to this dessert that makes it more interesting. The vibrant colour of the pumpkin also makes this dessert a visually captivating dish.
8. Dry spicy pumpkin
One of the most commonly made pumpkin recipes in Indian households, this diced, spicy recipe gives a lovely spice to the natural flavour of pumpkin, already a beautiful balance between sweet, savoury and tangy. Made with spices that highlight and make pumpkin the star of the dish instead of drowning it out, give this age-old, Indian recipe a try the next time you crave something spicy but something different as well.
Photo: Pexels/ Nataliya Vaitkevich