Pumpkin And Meatball Risotto

YUMMY!!

I never have cooked with a REAL pumpkin before. This dish was a great one to start out with. Why? Because it turned out yummy. Just in time for fall and cold weather. This dish is perfect.

Gets 3 thumbs up from the Milazzo's. (Jared is not a huge pumpkin fan and he still liked this dish because it was just a hint of pumpkin.)

(from Matthew Evans book ‘Winter On The Farm’)

200g pork sausage meat
40g butter
200g (about 1 large) leek, white part only, rinsed and finely chopped
200g pumpkin, grated or cut into 2mm dice
400g risotto rice
200ml good quality white wine
1.5 – 2 litres chicken stock, simmering in a saucepan
80g Parmesan, finely grated

Break up the sausage meat into little meatballs about 1.5cm in diameter.

In a large, heavy-based saucepan (I used a 30cm non-stick pan that worked a dream) melt the butter over a medium heat. Add the mini meatballs and let them sizzle and brown all over.

Reduce the heat and add the leeks. Cook, stirring often, for 4 -5 minutes or until leeks are soft then add the pumpkin and rice. Stir for a couple of minutes then add the wine. Increase the heat and stir until the wine has all been absorbed.

Then add a ladle of the simmering stock to the risotto and keep stirring the risotto. Once the stock has been absorbed add another ladle of stock. Continue until 1.5 litres of stock have been used. Check if the rice is cooked, it should have just a slight, slight bite to it. If it needs more cooking just continue with one ladle of stock at a time until the rice is perfect.

Take the risotto off the heat and stir through half the rice. Allow the risotto rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with the remaining cheese and a good grinding of fresh black pepper.

Recipe from Tea for Six

Pumpkin Nutrition Facts

Alpha-carotene and beta-carotene both work as antioxidants in the body and are pro-vitamin A carotenoids, meaning they’re converted to vitamin A by the body. Carotenoids boost immunity and reduce heart disease risk. Beta-carotene may help reverse skin damage caused by the sun and act as an anti-flammatory. Alpha-carotene is also thought to slow the aging process, prevent tumor growth and is very good for your eyes, helping reduce the risk of developing cataracts.

Pumpkin is a great source of fiber, with one half cup containing 5 grams of fiber. We all know the benefits of fiber; it reduces bad cholesterol levels, protects the body against heart disease, helps control blood sugar levels, promotes healthy digestion and may also play a role in weight loss.

Pumpkin is rich in Vitamin C, which boosts immunity, reduces the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease and aids regulation of cholesterol levels. A good source of Vitamin E, pumpkin promotes healthy skin by protecting the body from sun damage and may also reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and certain cancers.