In addition to an Abobora dish with Carne Seca, here's a couple of other quick and easy recipes, using the good ol' pumpkin.
Just as versatile as a potatoes, pumpkins offer a wonderful colour contrast on any plate. With a green garnish, such as spring onions, parsley, or coriander, they really do set the scene.
It's a great base for a dish, and can go with just about any meat.
Mostly harvested in Autumn, they are available all year round, with our favourite being the Butternut variety. Slightly sweeter than others, and a brighter shade of orange.
So, pop on your pinnie, and let's get started.
Abobora Au Gratin (Pumpkin Gratin)
Ingredients
- 1 healthy pumpkin
- A dash of salt
- 250 mls fresh cream
- 3 eggs
- A dollop of Margarine
- Breadcrumbs to bind
- Milk
- Garnish with fresh chopped parlsey, and spring onions.
- Olive oil
Method
- Peel and segment the pumpkin.
- Cover with water and a little salt.
- Bring to a boil, and simmer until cooked through, drain.
- Return to the stove top for a minute to remove excess moisture.
- Make a slurry with cornflour and water.
- Mix in the rest of the ingredients, except for the breadcrumbs.
- Place in a shallow baking dish.
- Top with breadcrumbs.
- Bake until breadcrumbs turn light brown.
- Garnish with parsley and spring onions.
- Plate up, with a drizzle of olive oil.
Bolinhos de Abobora Madura (Deep-fried Pumpkin Croquettes)
Ingredients
- 1 healthy pumpkin
- 1 tbsp of butter
- 1 egg yolk
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 tbsp of grated cheddar cheese
- Qty all purpose flour
- Good quality Olives (pitted)
- Chopped parsley
- Vegetable Oil
- Olive oil
Method
- Peel and segment pumpkin.
- Cover with water, bring to the boil, unitl cooked.
- Liquify in a wizzer
- Add egg yolk, salt, cheese, pepper, and mix
- Add flour, until the mix is just dry enough to create balls
- Roll into balls
- Deep fry, until golden brown, drain.
- Serve hot, with a drizzle of olive oil
Great as a canape, snack or side dish.
Aboboras Batadinhas Com Ovos (Pumpkin with eggs)
Ingredients
- 1 pumpkin, peeled and segmented
- Salt and water to cover
- 3 segments of finely chopped garlic
- 2 spring onions, finely chopped
- 2 eggs yolks
- Qty parsley, and Cilantro, finely chopped
- 4 tomatoes, finely chopped
- I onion, peeled and finely chopped
- Qty extra virgin Olive Oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method
- Simmer pumpkin in salt and water until cooked
- Drain, and mash
- Add egg yolks and mix through
- Season with salt and pepper
- Lightly fry, garlic, onion, and spring onions in olive oil
- After 2 or 3 minutes, add pumpkin
- Cook for a further 3 or 4 minutes over a moderate heat
- Garnish with chopped parsley and cilantro
- Serve, drizzled in extra virgin olive oil
Fantastic by itself, or as a side. Perfect with meatloaf.
All of these recipes are quick and easy to make, and offer great flavour and colour contrasts. Start experimenting today.
Bom apetite.
