Roasted pumpkin boats with cinnamon and sage

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Roasted pumpkin boats with cinnamon and sage

January 1, 2015 by Robin Ellis

This got the “ding” from Meredith at lunch today.

Spotted in “Jamie’s Italy“–Jamie Oliver’s lively and loving tour of the peninsula–it offers a twist on roasted pumpkin by including fresh sage, cinnamon and a hint of heat in the mix.

It is simplicity itself.

a small pumpkin–sliced in half and seeds removed

1 small cinnamon stick–split into smaller–not too small–lengths

1 small chili–chopped

a good handful of fresh sage–chopped roughly

2 tbsp olive oil

salt and pepper

Heat the oven to 220C/430F
Slice the pumpkin carefully into smallish crescents
Add them to a large bowl
Add the sage, chili and olive oil to a mortar and pound gently to release the flavors
Add the cinnamon pieces and mix them in thoroughly without allowing them to break up too much
Add this mix to the large bowl and season well with salt and pepper

Turn it all over to coat the pumpkin boats
Arrange the boats in a shallow, oven-proof pan

Roast in the upper part of the hot oven for about 20-30 minutes–the time it takes to cook them to tender depends on the thickness of the pumpkin pieces
Check after 15 minutes for doneness
They should develop a pleasing seared look

We ate them with magret de canard (duck breast) to welcome in the New Year on a spectacularly beautiful winter’s day.

Also spectacular is the walnut and garlic sauce, nestling in there.

(The recipe for this sauce is in Delicious Dishes for Diabetics.)

All good wishes to everyone everywhere for a healthy, happy New Year!

Bonne Année!

Posted in Diabetes, Food, Recipes | Tagged diabetes-friendly recipes, jamie oliver, jamie's Italy, recipes, roast pumpkin, vegetarian, Walnut and garlic sauce | 20 Comments

20 Responses

on January 1, 2015 at 3:18 pm | Reply Bernadette Volkmann (@MiniRita)

Looks amazing!! Thank you for sharing!! Happy New Year!!
on January 1, 2015 at 3:47 pm | Reply Lizzie Holloway

This looks really good, interesting flavours, I will try it tomorrow! A very Happy New Year to you.
on January 1, 2015 at 5:02 pm | Reply Paola Pascolat

It must be the “pumpkin day” today…..I have just made a pumpkin soup for tonight! With the rest of it I will cook this recipe tomorrow – in a reduced proportion….
- on January 1, 2015 at 5:49 pm | Reply Robin Ellis
  
  Boun Apetito Paola and Happy New Year! Still enjoying your pecorino with slices of fresh fennel–thank you!
on January 1, 2015 at 5:28 pm | Reply Lynn Szelock

Looks lovely. What kind of chilies do you use? We have a great many to choose from here in Arizona. Fresh or dried chilies?
- on January 1, 2015 at 5:46 pm | Reply Robin Ellis
  
  I use small red dry chilis. By small I mean about 1/2″. Little dry red chilis. You could use chili flakes too, to taste.
on January 1, 2015 at 6:17 pm | Reply Linda

Robin, this pumpkin dish sounds good. Will try it. (Hopefully, in 2015, you
will find a way to save the beautiful church. Happy New Year to you and Meredith!)
- on January 1, 2015 at 7:21 pm | Reply Robin Ellis
  
  Thanks Linda–we will!
on January 1, 2015 at 6:35 pm | Reply shawdiane9

HAPPY NEW YEAR Robin My husband Doug & I wish you & your wife all your dreams for 2015 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

🍀Shawdiane

>
- on January 1, 2015 at 7:21 pm | Reply Robin Ellis
  
  And to you both–Bonne Année!
on January 2, 2015 at 7:53 am | Reply elaineward

This looks good and teasty Robin will give it a go, if I can find a pumpkin in Tyldesley might have better luck in Leigh will keep my eyes peeled it will just have that warm kick for a cold day.

All the best to you and Meredith for 2015 -Elaine and Jimmy
- on January 2, 2015 at 4:12 pm | Reply Robin Ellis
  
  Thanks Elaine and the same to you and Jimmy.
on January 2, 2015 at 8:24 am | Reply heidi

Bonne Annee, Monsieur Ellis et Meredith.! This recipe looks really good. Recently, I read that research has shown that cinnamon is beneficial for type 2 diabetes. Oh, by the way, yesterday, I saw an advert on BBC for the new series of “Poldark”….
- on January 2, 2015 at 4:11 pm | Reply Robin Ellis
  
  A vous aussi, Heidi. Thanks for the info on Poldark too.
on January 2, 2015 at 12:51 pm | Reply Elizabeth Gibbons

Looks delicious. I email your online recipes to a friend from France who is herself a wonderful chef. May you and Mrs. Ellis be successful in your struggle over the ex-church, and may 2015 be a good year for you and for all the cats.
- on January 2, 2015 at 4:09 pm | Reply Robin Ellis
  
  Thanks, Elizabeth for your good wishes–have you signed the petition yet?
  - on January 2, 2015 at 4:15 pm Elizabeth Gibbons
    
    It was my pleasure to sign.
  - on January 2, 2015 at 4:19 pm Robin Ellis
    
    Thank you.
on January 3, 2015 at 7:58 am | Reply Rosaria

At last,Robin!! Your recipes are always delicious and very healthy like the ones we usually prepare in my family here in Italy even if we aren’t diabetics. My granddaughters and me, are waiting for news from your cats’ family…. The best wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year to Meredith and you from Italy!!!!!
- on January 3, 2015 at 8:04 pm | Reply Robin Ellis
  
  Thanks, Rosaria. You are right–it’s about time for a cat catch-up!