Pumpkin Stuffed with Vegetable Stew

Ingredients for Pumpkin Stuffed with Vegetable Stew

• 1 fennel bulb with fronds

• 2 medium parsnips (230g total), peeled, quartered, cored, and cut into 1-inch pieces

• 230g celery root (sometimes called celeriac

• 1/2 of 1 medium), peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces

• 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces

• 14 small shallots (about 450g ), peeled and left whole, plus 120ml chopped

• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided 2 red peppers

• 1 (8- to 9-lb) pumpkin (preferably cheese, pie, or Sweet Meat variety)

• Roasted-vegetable and wine sauce , heated

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 230g fresh cremini mushrooms, trimmed and halved

• 110g fresh chanterelle mushrooms, trimmed

• 450g seitan (seasoned wheat gluten), cut into 1/2-inch pieces

• 1 teaspoon chopped thyme, divided

• 1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley

• 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

How to make Pumpkin Stuffed with Vegetable Stew

Preheat oven to 232°C with rack in middle. Chop enough fennel fronds to measure 1 tablespoon and reserve, then discard stalks and remaining fronds. Halve bulb lengthwise, then core and cut lengthwise into 1-inch wedges.

Toss fennel wedges, parsnips, celery root, carrots, and whole shallots with 2 tablespoons oil, teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoons pepper in a 17- by 12-inch shallow baking pan until coated, then roast, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and almost tender, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove vegetables from oven. Leave oven on.

Roast peppers on racks of gas burners over high heat, turning with tongs, until skins are blistered, 5 to 8 minutes.

Transfer peppers to a bowl and let stand, covered, until cool enough to handle. Peel peppers and discard stems and seeds. Cut peppers lengthwise into 1-inch strips.

Remove top of pumpkin by cutting a circle (6 inches in diameter) around stem with a small sharp knife. Scrape out and discard seeds and any loose fibers from inside pumpkin with a spoon (including top of pumpkin; do not discard top), then sprinkle flesh with 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/8 teaspoons pepper. Put pumpkin in a large roasting pan.

Pour 350ml sauce into pumpkin and cover with top, then brush all over with remaining tablespoon oil. Roast 1 hour.

While pumpkin roasts, heat butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat until foam subsides, then sauté chopped shallots until softened. Add mushrooms and sauté until they are browned and begin to give off liquid, about 8 minutes. Add wheat gluten and 1/2 teaspoons thyme, then stir in 350ml more sauce and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat and fold in roasted root vegetables and peppers, 1/4 teaspoons salt, and 1/8 teaspoons pepper.

After pumpkin has roasted 1 hour, spoon vegetable filling into it, then cover with top. Roast until pumpkin is tender when pierced with a fork, vegetables are tender, and filling is hot, about 30 minutes more. Transfer pumpkin to a platter using 2 sturdy metal spatulas.

Stir together fennel fronds, parsley, zest, and remaining 1/2 teaspoons thyme and sprinkle half of it over filling. Stir remainder into remaining sauce and serve sauce on the side.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.