Possible Pumpkin Flavors

Question

I am hoping to try out cooking with pumpkin this year and only know a) not to buy jack-o-lantern varieties for cooking, and b) about making it into sweeter things like pies, cakes, cookies et cetera. I have seen recipes for roasting seeds and flavoring them to make them spicy (add red pepper, who'd have thought?), but I don't know what options I have as far as using the flesh/ground pumpkin to head more toward a savory dish. [Please note, I am particularly interested in vegan approaches, though all methods are welcome.]

Are there particular varieties better for making savory dishes?
What flavor spectrum does the pumpkin (raw, roasted...) lend itself toward naturally or without much force? How do you coax those out?

score 6 · Accepted Answer · answered Oct 06 '10 at 15:34

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There are terrific Thai pumpkin curries; the flavor profile would be garlic, ginger, lemongrass, coriander seed, cilantro, chiles, Thai basil. Here is one I did with Delicata squash that would work equally well with pumpkin: http://www.herbivoracious.com/2009/10/red-curry-delicata-squash-and-tofu-recipe.html .

answered Oct 06 '10 at 15:34

Michael Natkin

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Amazing, I wasn't even thinking of going there. I was hoping to pair it with some cranberry beans in a stew of sorts and I think this would be a great way of doing it. – mfg Oct 06 '10 at 16:01
+1- Pumpkin curries are one of my favorite parts of fall. – Sobachatina Oct 07 '10 at 12:49

score 4 · Answer 2 · answered Oct 06 '10 at 16:34

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I like a spiced pumpkin risotto. I take a basic butternut squash risotto recipe substitute pumpkin and add ginger. I bake my pumpkin in 1 inch cubes with rosemary, cardamom, salt and pepper. If I am just cooking for my wife and I as opposed to cooking with my kids in mind, I add chiles to the risotto, it cuts some of the sweet out of the pumpkin.

edit: You could leave the cardamom out, I just really like the flavor so it is more of a personal choice.

answered Oct 06 '10 at 16:34

Varuuknahl

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I think cutting out a good portion of the sweet is rather essential; how does cardamom (which I do like) fare in the balance of sweet v. savory? Does it pick up more like nutmeg on the palate or like sage? – mfg Oct 06 '10 at 17:05
I would say it tends to balance more to the sweet as it is more commonly found in sweet dishes and picks up like a citrusy nutmeg on the pallette if such a comparison could be made. I really like the flavor with pumpkin and squashes which is really the only reason I include it in the recipe. – Varuuknahl Oct 06 '10 at 17:28
I'm definitely intrigued, and the food co-op near my house has quality spices in bulk so i could buy a tablespoon or two of it. – mfg Oct 06 '10 at 20:20

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Oct 06 '10 at 16:31

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A different option is nuts. Pumpkin works great with walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, ... There are nice tie-ins with e.g. mushrooms and goat cheese (not vegan, OK).

answered Oct 06 '10 at 16:31

Erik P.

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That's still a great option, especially as a side for the rest of us omnivores. – mfg Oct 06 '10 at 17:03
*especially* if you use butternut pumpkin! – Arafangion Oct 06 '10 at 22:07

score 1 · Answer 4 · answered Oct 06 '10 at 18:23

The original Iron Chef did a pumpkin battle, maybe there will be a replay on TV you could search for since we are in that time of year.

Should be some interesting ideas in there, been a long time since I saw that one.

Otherwise, here are some YouTube links for it

Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6LGzJPqjsA
Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xiMI7bk4RE
Part 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI5jDPVDYfM
Part 4 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJCETXOnYU0
Part 5 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqgfhakBWQU

Good to know, I can always use an excuse to watch Iron Chef – mfg Oct 06 '10 at 20:18 — mfg, Oct 06 '10 at 20:18

score 1 · Answer 5 · answered Oct 07 '10 at 02:00

In addition to what's already been mentioned (although, I admit I didn't watch the Iron Chef videos), if you're looking or savory, pumpkin works in a lot of places where you might use potatoes:

pumpkin gnocchi : use roasted mashed pumpkin in place of the potato; look for recipes online
roasted pumpkin : cube, toss with oil and salt (and maybe herbs & vinegar), roast alone or with other vegetables (eg, carrots, onion, garlic).
pumpkin waffles (or pancakes) : again, look online, there might be vegan versions.
pumpkin croquettes (fritters) : ditto, but I don't know how they'd bind without eggs

And of course:

pumpkin bread (or muffins) : lots of recipes online

... but just about any recipe that calls for acorn squash (unless it's used as a serving dish), or sweet potato might give you ideas.

Are there particular flavors/herbs/spices that incorporate well aside from nutmeg, or other spices that lend themselves toward sweet and away from savory? I.E. the idea of making a tableau of creamy curry — mfg, Oct 08 '10 at 13:38

score 0 · Answer 6 · answered Jul 01 '11 at 15:28

massaman curry paste was made for pumpkin. Throw in some cashews for extra richness.

dark mexican mole sauce equally yum. celeriac would be a nice addition.

Guilin chili sauce straight out of the jar and smeared on roast/grilled pumpkin is an easy side-dish

Possible Pumpkin Flavors

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