3 Original, Easy And Delicious Recipes With Pumpkin

Pumpkin soup or cream is the best known dish with this vegetable. However, it is true that pumpkin juice and smoothies became popular in recent years thanks to its mention in the Harry Potter literary saga.

And it is that, being a fleshy and juicy vegetable, it lends itself to making multiple preparations. Therefore, below we share some of the easiest and most delicious pumpkin recipes.

These can help you dispel the idea that this vegetable can only be used as a soup or decoration for Halloween. In addition, you will see that many of the preparations have a high nutritional value.

1. Pumpkin burgers

Ingredients (for 4 or 5 people)

• 1 teaspoon of parsley (5 g)

• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder (5 g)
• ¾ cup of mushrooms (about 80 g)
• 1 ¼ cups of cooked pumpkin (250 g)
• 2 or 3 heaping tablespoons of flour (30/45 g)
• 2 tablespoons of breadcrumbs (30 g)
• 3 tablespoons of ground oats (45 g)
• Condiments: paprika de la Vera and salt
• Optional: black pepper

Preparation

1. First, we peel and remove the seeds from the pumpkin. Next, we drain the excess liquid.
2. Next, we cut the pumpkin into medium-sized cubes.
3. With the help of a fork, press on the pumpkin pieces until they are pureed. Then we reserve.
4. Afterwards, we clean and slice the mushrooms.
5. Then, we put the pumpkin puree and mushrooms in the blender and process everything until we obtain a homogeneous mixture without too many lumps.  
6. We stop the batter for a moment and add the breadcrumbs, flour and oats. Then, we stir and beat everything until the ingredients are completely integrated. Finally, we season with salt and  pepper to taste.
7. Once we obtain a consistent dough, we let it rest for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
8. We preheat the oven to 200 ºC.
9. Then, we prepare a baking tray with a little fat and we begin to pour the dough along it. With a tablespoon we will be able to make our hamburgers of an appropriate thickness.
10. Then we bake for a few minutes, until the top is golden brown, then we flip the burgers. In this way, they will take on color on both sides.
11. Once ready, we place them on the bread of our preference. Finally, we add the hamburger toppings (ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, etc.) and the classic lettuce leaf along with the tomato slices and onion rings.

2. Risotto with pumpkin

Ingredients (for 4 people)

• Olive oil
• 2 cloves of fresh garlic
• 2 ½ cups of pumpkin (500 g)
• ½ onion
• 1 cup of brown rice (150 g)
• 2 glasses of vegetable broth (400 ml)
• 3 tablespoons of brewer’s yeast (30 g)
• Seasonings: sea salt and black pepper
• Optional: raw spinach leaves (for garnish), various seeds

Preparation

1. First, we wash the rice with plenty of water and drain.
2. Next, we put a pot to boil, over medium heat, with the vegetable broth. When it reaches the boiling point, pour the cup of brown rice and cook until al dente. You have to watch while it cooks, in case it is necessary to add a little more liquid.
3. Meanwhile, we clean the pumpkin, cut it into medium pieces and drain it well.
4. Then we peel and slice the garlic. On the other hand, we peel and cut the onion into small cubes.
5. In addition, we grease a frying pan with a drizzle of olive oil and proceed to sauté the garlic until golden brown. Finally, we add the onion and the pumpkin pieces. If the oil has been consumed, it will be necessary to add a little more.
6. Once the onions are golden brown, lower the heat to a minimum and let everything cook for about 5 minutes. Then, we turn off the heat and put the mixture in the blender.
7. Then, we process the mixture of pumpkin, garlic and onions with the rest of the ingredients, at medium speed, until obtaining a homogeneous dough. Salt to taste.
8. Finally, we pour the mixture over the rice and decorate with some spinach leaves before serving.

3. Croquettes with pumpkin and cheese

Ingredients (for 4 people)

• Olive oil
• 2 cloves of fresh garlic
• 1 medium egg
• 2 ½ cups of pumpkin (500 g)
• 1 medium spring onion
• Breadcrumbs (the amount needed)
• 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese (150 g)
• Seasoning: black pepper and salt

Preparation

1. First, we clean the pumpkin and drain well. Next, we proceed to cut it into medium-sized cubes.
2. Next, we place the dice in a microwave-safe container, covered, and we proceed to soften the pumpkin a little more for a period of about 6 or 10 minutes, approximately.
3. Once the pumpkin is ready, we let it cool down to room temperature.
4. Meanwhile, we chop the onion and garlic.
5. Then, we grease a frying pan with oil and heat it over medium heat. When it is hot, we sauté the onion and garlic with a little salt and pepper. Finally, we add the pumpkin and let it cook while we crush the dice with the help of a spatula.
6. Then we add the Parmesan cheese and stir to mix everything well.  
7. Then, we turn off the heat, let the dough cool down and proceed to form the balls or croquettes.
8. Next, we break the egg and beat it by hand until the yolk and white are completely integrated.
9. Finally, we pass the balls in an egg and then in bread and we take them to fry in a pan with plenty of oil.

There is a wide variety of recipes with pumpkin for the different meals of the day and, of course, for all kinds of occasions.

It should be noted that, as well as we show you salty dishes, there is also a great variety of desserts and drinks that include this wonderful vegetable. Go ahead and do the tests and treat yourself!