The arrival of the autumn season means it's time to embrace the flavors of squash in our culinary adventures. And what better way to do that than with a mouthwatering pumpkin pasta gratin? This delightful dish combines creamy pumpkin puree with flavorful pasta for an irresistible taste sensation.
Ingredients:
- 1 Hokkaido squash (approximately 450g of squash puree)
- 500g of pasta (your choice)
- 4 handfuls of fresh spinach
- 50g of walnuts
- 1 large onion
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 2 tablespoons of plant-based butter
- 3 tablespoons of tomato paste
- a pinch of nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 50g of grated Parmesan
- 150g of grated cheese
Preparation:
Start by washing the Hokkaido squash, removing the seeds, and cutting it into small cubes. Cook the squash flesh until tender either in the oven, stovetop, or microwave. Set aside a few cubes of squash. Then, mash or crush the cooked pumpkin flesh to create the pumpkin puree.
Cook the pasta in lightly salted water, but reduce the cooking time by 3 minutes compared to the instructions on the packaging. Drain the pasta, but make sure to reserve some of the cooking water.
Thoroughly wash the fresh spinach and allow it to drain. Chop the walnuts, onion, and garlic cloves. Toast the walnuts in a skillet without adding any fat. In a separate pan, sauté the onion and garlic pieces in plant-based butter. Add the tomato paste and briefly fry it before mixing it well. Incorporate the washed spinach and allow it to wilt. Season the mixture with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Then, add the pumpkin puree and Parmesan. Thin the sauce with some pasta water until it reaches the desired consistency. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
Grease a baking dish and fill it with the cooked pasta, the set-aside squash pieces, and the toasted walnuts. Pour the prepared pumpkin pasta sauce over the dish and generously sprinkle it with cheese. Bake the gratin in a preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until it turns golden and deliciously fragrant.
And there you have it! Your very own autumnal pumpkin pasta gratin ready to be enjoyed.
