Milanese-Style Risotto with Pumpkin

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Welcome fall with this delicious pumpkin risotto, flavored with a hint of saffron.

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  • 4

Ingredients

  • 1 small cooking pumpkin or 1 medium-large butternut squash
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), plus more for dressing the pumpkin, divided
  • Salt and pepper
  • Freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/3 cup pumpkin seeds (a generous handful)
  • 3 tablespoons pine nuts or shelled, chopped pistachio nuts
  • 4 cups chicken stock (32 ounces)
  • A generous pinch of saffron threads (about 25 threads)
  • 2 cups water
  • 2-3 large cloves garlic, very finely chopped
  • 1 small yellow onion, very finely chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups arborio rice
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (a couple of handfuls), plus some to pass at table
  • 1/4 cup flat leaf parsley (a handful), finely chopped

Preparation

Step 1

Pre-heat the oven to 375°F.

To peel the pumpkin, halve it, then scoop out the seeds. Cut it into wedges, carve the flesh away from the skin, then chop it into small, bite-size pieces. For butternut squash, cut the squash in half, separating the upper half from the bulbous bottom. Use a sharp vegetable peeler or paring knife to trim away the skin. Cut off the top stem and chop it into bite-size pieces, then halve the bulbous end, seed and chop. Lightly dress the pumpkin or squash in EVOO, salt, pepper and nutmeg.

Arrange the pumpkin or squash on a baking sheet or cooling rack over a baking sheet and roast for 35-40 minutes, until very tender. Puree half of it in a food processor until smooth; reserve the remainder in a dish. Toast the seeds and nuts in the oven for the last few minutes of roasting time.

Meanwhile, combine the stock, water and saffron threads. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and keep the liquids warm.

In a round-bottomed pan or skillet heat the remaining EVOO, two turns of the pan. Add the garlic and onions and soften for a few minutes; stir in the arborio rice and toast for a minute or two, then add the wine and let it absorb completely. Add the saffron stock in small batches of a few ladles at a time, stirring a minute or two for each addition of stock. Cook the liquids out and continue to add more a ladle or two at a time for 18 minutes. Stir in the butter, cheese and puree of squash.

Serve the risotto in shallow bowls topped with the roasted squash, nuts and parsley.

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