🎃 Waste Not, Want Not: The Best Way to Use Leftover Halloween Pumpkin in a Rich, Hearty Chilli Recipe 🌶️

A Quick 20 Minute Thai-Inspired Side Dish

This dish is a fantastic alternative to the usual sweet pumpkin recipes. The natural sweetness of the pumpkin pairs incredibly well with the bold heat of fresh chilli, creating a surprising and satisfying flavour. It’s a warm, inviting meal that's perfect for a chilly autumn night.

The spooky season is here, and with it, a perfect excuse to get creative in the kitchen. While jack-o-lanterns are a must, why not use that beautiful pumpkin for something more delicious? Keeping with the Halloween theme, I thought I'd spice up the evening a bit with a Pumpkin with Chilli Recipe that’s both comforting and fiery.

Ingredients

* 800g pumpkin or butternut squash
* 2 tbsp oil
* 2 garlic cloves
* 1 tsp grated root ginger
* 2 bird's eye chillies finely chopped 
* 1 tsp finely grated lime zest
* 1 tbsp lime juice
* 1⁄2 tbsp light soy sauce
* 185ml vegetable stock
* 1 tsp white sugar
* 35g fresh coriander, chopped

⏱ Prep Time: 10 minutes

🔥 Cook Time: 15 minutes 

🍽 Serves: 4 

Instructions:

1. Peel the pumpkin and remove the seeds with a spoon. Dice the pumpkin flesh
.

2. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.  Add the garlic, ginger and chilli. Stir-fry for 1 minute. Keep moving the garlic and chilli around the pan making sure they don´t burn, as this will create a bitter taste.

3. Add the pumpkin, lime zest, lime juice, soy sauce, stock and sugar.  Cook for 10 minutes until the pumpkin is tender.

4. Remove the lid and gently stir-fry for 5 minutes, or until the liquid is reduced. Scatter the chopped coriander on top and serve.

This recipe is simple to follow and doesn't require any fancy ingredients. You can easily adapt it to your taste -add more chili for a hotter kick or a dollop of yogurt to cool it down. Go grab your pan and trade the usual autumnal sweetness for this fiery, fragrant Thai-inspired pumpkin side-dish. It pairs well with grilled chicken, white rice, or as a base for a grain bowl - more feasting!

This dish is a fantastic alternative to the usual sweet pumpkin recipes. The natural sweetness of the pumpkin pairs incredibly well with the bold heat of fresh chilli, creating a surprising and satisfying flavour. It’s a warm, inviting meal that's perfect for a chilly autumn night.