Spicy Baked Pumpkin

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• Glowing & vibrant for Halloween Feasts

• Beautiful & nutritious for Harvest Suppers

• Delicious & warming for Bonfire Parties

Spicy Baked Pumpkin

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Ingredients

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• 1 washed pumpkin

• 2 chopped sweet potatoes

• 1 - 2 handfuls of fresh field mushrooms

• 1 large chopped onion

• 4 tablespoons of cooked chickpeas

• 1 tablespoon of a light oil

Spices

• 1 small cinnamon stick

• 1 whole star anise

• 1 sprig of fresh curry leaves

• 2 teaspoons of whole coriander seeds

• 1 teaspoon of whole cumin seeds

• 1/2 teaspoon of whole peppercorns

• 1-3 whole dried red chilies (optional)

• 1-3 crushed cloves of garlic

• 1 sprig of fresh mint or coriander

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Fresh curry leaves are just so amazing. If you can't find them in your local shop, buy a plant for your winter kitchen or summer garden.

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Method

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Simmer the sweet potatoes in a pot of water (with the cinnamon & the star anise)

Meanwhile

• Warm the oil in a skillet

• Cook the onions slowly on a low-medium heat until golden

• Add the onions (not the oil) to the potato pot

• Pop the mushrooms into the skillet (use the same oil)

• Cook slowly until golden & juicy

• Add the mushrooms & chickpeas to the pot

Now

• Don't wash the skillet yet (save all those flavours)

• Grind your coriander seeds, cumin seeds & peppercorns

• Warm all your dried spices & curry leaves gently in the skillet

• Wait for them crackle & fill the the air with their amazing aroma (1 minute)

• Add to the pot

• Simmer for 20 minutes

• Add the crushed garlic & stir

Pumpkin time

• Cut a hand sized opening in the top of your pumpkin

• Scoop out the seeds with your hands (keep them for planting)

• Place the pumpkin on a baking tray

Oven Ready

• Remove the cinnamon stick & the star anise

• Ladle the sauce into the pumpkin (save all the extra sauce for the table)

• Cover with parchment paper

• Pop into a pre heated oven 190C

• Bake until the pumpkin is soft (20 minutes for a small pumpkin)

• Garnish with a little fresh mint or coriander

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Serve with extra sauce & roasted vegetables on a bamboo stick

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Sharing a little bit of Heaven on Earth

• A Halloween Midnight Feast

• A Delicious Dinner

• A Scrumptious Supper

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Serve & share a generous slice of Heaven with a little scattering of fresh mint or coriander leaves.

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Thank you for reading. Have a very Jolly Halloween...

Byeeeeeee!

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Heaven on Earth sharing simple & tasty seasonal nosh for kids & grown ups!