Roasted Stuffed Pumpkin

Roasted Stuffed Pumpkin - The Perfect Holiday Dish

Roasted Stuffed Pumpkin is an impressive and delicious centerpiece that’s perfect for fall and holiday gatherings. A sugar pumpkin serves as the edible vessel, roasted to tender perfection and filled with a savory stuffing that combines the best flavors of the season. The stuffing features bread cubes, browned Italian sausage, diced Granny Smith apples, and dried cranberries, all brought together with fresh sage, thyme, and a touch of garlic. This dish balances sweetness, tartness, and savory elements, making it a unique and memorable addition to any festive table.

Ingredients

• Sugar pumpkin: 1 (4-5 lbs), hollowed out to hold stuffing
• Salt and pepper: As needed, to season the inside
• Dried bread cubes: 8 cups, for the stuffing base
• Olive oil: 1 tbsp, for sautéing
• Onion: 1, diced, for flavor
• Celery: 2 stalks, diced, for crunch
• Ground mild Italian sausage: 1 lb, for savory richness
• Granny Smith apples: 2, peeled and diced, for sweetness and tartness
• Garlic: 2 cloves, minced, for aromatic depth
• Chicken stock: 2 cups, to moisten the stuffing
• Eggs: 3 large, to bind the stuffing
• Fresh sage: 3 tbsp, chopped, for herby flavor
• Fresh thyme leaves: 1 tbsp, for aromatic depth
• Dried cranberries: 1 cup, for a sweet-tart element

Instructions

Step 1:

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare the pumpkin by cutting off the top, removing seeds, and seasoning inside with salt and pepper.

Step 2:

Cook onions and celery in olive oil until tender. Brown the sausage, then add apples and cook until soft. Stir in garlic until fragrant.

Step 3:

Mix sausage mixture with bread cubes. Whisk together chicken stock, eggs, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper, then pour over the bread mixture. Stir in cranberries.

Step 4:

Stuff the pumpkin with the mixture, pressing down gently. Replace the top and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 5:

Roast for 1 1/2 hours. Remove the top and roast for an additional 30-40 minutes, ensuring the pumpkin is tender and stuffing reaches 160°F (70°C).

Serving and Storage Tips

• Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Helpful Notes

• Use a sugar pumpkin for its sweet and tender flesh.
• Customize the stuffing with nuts or other dried fruits for added texture.

Tips from Well-Known Chefs

• Brush the inside of the pumpkin with a bit of melted butter before roasting for added flavor.

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Roasted Stuffed Pumpkin is a show-stopping holiday dish that brings together the flavors of fall. A tender sugar pumpkin is hollowed out and stuffed with a hearty bread stuffing made with Italian sausage, diced apples, and dried cranberries. The dish is seasoned with fresh sage and thyme, adding an herby complexity that pairs perfectly with the pumpkin’s natural sweetness. Roasting the stuffed pumpkin enhances its flavors and makes the pumpkin soft enough to enjoy alongside the stuffing. This dish is ideal as a main course or a side dish, and its elegant presentation makes it a memorable addition to any table. Whether served as the star of a holiday meal or as a unique seasonal dish, Roasted Stuffed Pumpkin is as delicious as it is beautiful.