When the seasons change, we eagerly await a slice, or three, of the fall season’s most iconic dessert: pumpkin pie. While most people use it to craft their pies, others toast the seeds for a midday snack. But did you know that you can make use of almost every part of the pumpkin?
In The Kitchen
You can use the “flesh” or the inside of the pumpkin, to create some delicious dishes such as pumpkin cookies, muffins, stew, soup, or our personal favorite, pumpkin ravioli!
To make pumpkin ravioli, you’ll need two and a half to three cups of all-purpose flour, five large eggs, and one tablespoon of olive oil to make the pasta dough. Once you make the dough and leave it to rest, it’s time to make the filling. To make this mixture, you’ll need:
- 1 small pie pumpkin (about 2-1/4 pounds), peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 teaspoons of chopped shallot
- 1/3 cup butter, cubed
- 2 teaspoons of minced fresh sage
- 3/4 teaspoon of minced fresh thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of pepper
- 2/3 cup of heavy whipping cream
- 1 small bay leaf
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
Begin by sauteing the pumpkin and shallot in butter before adding the sage, thyme, salt, and pepper. Place the pan’s contents into a food processor and blend until smooth. Once it’s blended, add it back into the pan with the cream and bay leaf. Bring it to a boil before reducing heat and letting it simmer until thick (around 15-20 minutes).
While it’s simmering, divide the pasta dough into fourths, around 1/8 inch thick. Add teaspoonfuls of the filling 1 inch apart before brushing around the edges with egg. Fold over and press down before cutting into squares with a pastry wheel. Simmer the ravioli in salted water for 1-2 minutes before removing.
To take it to the next level, you can create a sauce as well. You’ll need one cup of heavy whipping cream, three tablespoons of butter, and two teaspoons of minced fresh sage. Boil the cream until reduced before adding the sage and butter. Top the ravioli with the sauce and you’re finished!
You can also use the leaves of the pumpkin plant for some tasty meals as well. Use the leaves in a fresh salad made with all of your favorite ingredients. Whether you top it with a seasonal dressing that compliments it or with some simple olive oil and sea salt, it’s sure to be a refreshing meal.
Fun Fall Activities
There are so many different activities you can do with a pumpkin. Many families carve pumpkins each year, letting their children make them into traditional Jack-O-Lanterns or executing designs of their own making onto the sides of the pumpkins. But most people just throw the insides of the pumpkin away when they’re finished. This year, have your kids save their pumpkin seeds and compost the shell of their pumpkin. That way you can plant the seeds in your nutrient-rich soil from your composter and grow your very own pumpkin for next year!
Enjoy a Fall Dinner at Grico’s!
After spending the day creating pumpkin crafts and dishes, come to Grico’s for a classic Italian dinner. Make your reservations by calling 570-654-9120. We look forward to serving you!