Rice Stuffed Pumpkin Recipes

BAKED SAVORY RICE STUFFED PUMPKIN

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Slice the top off of the pumpkin. Remove the seeds and any excess pulp.
• Rub the interior of the pumpkin with 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and a pinch or two of nutmeg. Set aside.
• Place 1 tablespoon butter, bacon, shallot, thyme and red pepper flakes into a medium sized skillet. Sauté over medium heat for about 7 minutes, or until the bacon is cooked and the shallots softened.
• Add the arborio rice and cook for 2-3 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent burning.
• Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the chicken stock and simmer until the liquid is almost absorbed.
• Remove from the heat. Pour the mixture into the pumpkin. Add the cream, water and gruyere. Stir well. Top with 1 tablespoon butter.
• Place the pumpkin on a parchment lined rimmed baking sheet. Cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until the rice is cooked all the way through.
• Remove from the oven and spoon out the rice with the pumpkin.

BAKED PUMPKINS WITH WILD RICE STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375° F.
• With a sharp knife, cut a 4- to 6-inch-wide lid off the top of each pumpkin.
• Use a large spoon to scoop out the seeds and stringy fibers, (use seeds for roasted pumpkin seeds, if desired, or discard).
• Set a square of foil, over the opening cut on top of th pumpkin and set the lid on top of the foil (th foil is to keep the lid from falling back into the pumpkins).
• Place prepared pumpkins in a baking pan filled with about 1/2 inch of water and bake until the insides are tender, about 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the size of your pumpkins.
• Remove from the oven and keep warm.
• While the pumkins are baking prepare the rice.
• In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
• Add the onion, bell pepper, zucchini, and garlic, and sauté, until the vegetables are tender, about 8 minutes.
• Stir in the water, brown wild rice, parsley, salt, pepper, and turmeric, and bring to a simmer.
• Cover and cook over low heat until all of the liquid is absorbed, about 45 minutes.
• Fluff with a fork, and stir in the peas, carrots and corn.
• If desired, fold in the Parmesan or soy cheese.
• Set aside until the pumpkins are done.
• When the pumpkins are finished baking, discard the foil; spoon the rice mixture into the pumpkins and cover with the lids and serve.
• When serving, be sure to serve some of the inside of the pumpkin along with the rice stuffing.

SAUSAGE & RICE STUFFED PUMPKINS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°. Cut a 3-in. circle around each pumpkin stem. Remove tops and set aside. Remove strings and seeds from pumpkins; discard seeds or save for roasting. , In a large skillet, cook sausage, vegetables and garlic over medium heat 6-8 minutes or until sausage is no longer pink, breaking up sausage into crumbles; drain. Remove from heat; stir in rice, 3/4 cup cheese, eggs, parsley, salt and thyme., Place pumpkins in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan; fill with rice mixture. Replace pumpkin tops. Bake 30 minutes., Reduce oven setting to 350°. Bake 25-35 minutes longer or until pumpkin is tender when pierced with a knife and a thermometer inserted in filling reads 160°. Sprinkle remaining cheese over filling. Cut to serve.