Caribbean Spiced Pumpkin

This Caribbean spiced pumpkin dish is a delicious blend of aromatic spices with a touch of heat.

Caribbean pumpkin is also known as Calabaza and is similar to the pumpkin grown in the USA.  It's large, with a thick skin and has a bright orange flesh.  Calabaza is sold by the chunk in our local market and in the stores.  At the vegetable market you can pick the size you want whilst the vendor wields his machete knife and cuts it up. Never argue with a man holding a machete! (Actually, he is very nice and could well as be holding a butter knife!).

I often purchase a chunk of pumpkin to add to the dogs food that I make.  Of course my dogs get home made food and nothing out of a can.  I also bake pumpkin doggie cookies with coconut flour for them.  They are my little four legged Diva's!   However, it was time I used the pumpkin in a dish for us and I thought that I would try a simple one pot dish and use Caribbean spices with it.  It was delicious with the smooth, sweetness of the pumpkin paring so well with the spices.  If you want a little less heat than avoid the scotch bonnet pepper and swap it for a milder one, like a jalapeno.  Perhaps halve the ginger too.  

Recipe tips

If you accidentally overcook the pumpkin and it goes a bit too soft, then just puree it and make it into a soup.  This is a great hearty one pot dish by itself.   You could serve it with a side of cauliflower rice too.  

For a hearty soup higher in protein, try a pumpkin chicken curry. It's great with a side of cauliflower rice.

Health benefits of pumpkin

Not only is pumpkin rich in antioxidants and beta carotene, it’s very low in calories, and a very good source of dietary fibre.  So reach for a large spoon and have another serving!   This seems to improve the next day too.  We had leftovers so I stored it in the fridge.  The next day I had it for lunch and it seemed even better than before! Although I could have missed breakfast and been extra hungry that day!

More Pumpkin Recipes

Thai Pumpkin Curry

Stuffed Pumpkin

Roasted Broccoli & Pumpkin

Caribbean Spiced Pumpkin

Angela Coleby

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Servings 4

Ingredients

  

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• 2 cups pumpkin diced and peeled
• 1 red pepper deseeded and cut in chunks
• 1 tin tomatoes chopped
• 1 onion peeled and chopped
• 2 sticks celery chopped
• 2 cloves garlic chopped
• 1 scotch bonnet pepper finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons fresh ginger finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• ¼ teaspoon all spice
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoon coconut oil

Instructions

 

• Heat the oil in a saucepan on a medium heat.
• Add the onion, garlic, celery and ginger and sauté for 5 minutes until soft.
• Add the pumpkin, red peppers, chilli and spices and cook for a further 3 minutes, stirring so that the spices are evenly distributed.
• Add the tomatoes, bring to the boil and cover.
• Simmer for 20 minutes until the pumpkin is soft, yet still firm. You don’t want it too mushy.
• Season to taste and serve.

Notes

Serves 4
Nutritional Info per serving : 119 Calories, 7g Fat, 2g Protein, 14g Total Carbs, 4g Fibre, 10g Net Carbs

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.

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