The perfect post-Halloween use of the little pie pumpkins I use as indoor decorations, this roasted pumpkin gratin is flavorful, super rich and cheesy.
Every year I buy the little mini pumpkins at the supermarket, mostly for a pop of Autumn color in the house but also because we love to eat them. When left whole, the little pumpkins last for ages in a cool house but once Halloween is past, I start thinking about cooking them.
One of our favorite recipes is luscious creamy coconut curry baked right inside scooped-out pumpkins. Another is a Thai-inspired pumpkin stir-fry with shrimp.
And, of course, a third is this roasted pumpkin gratin featuring a French seasonal cheese called Mont D’Or, which is made with unpasteurized cow’s milk. It is produced in the cooler months only and is shaped by circling it with spruce bark. As it ages, it becomes runny and full of flavor. We adore it.
Roasted Pumpkin Gratin
‘Tis the season but if you can’t find a Mont d’Or cheese, substitute your favorite soft rind cheese like Brie or Camembert, preferably made with unpasteurized milk, if possible. The stronger the flavor, the better is my attitude.
Ingredients
2 mini pumpkins, about 1 lb or 450g each, seeded and cut in wedges
Olive oil
Fine sea salt
Red pepper flakes
1 Mont d’Or, chilled – weight 8.8 oz or 250g (See note above for substitutes)
Fresh ground black pepper
Cayenne
2 tablespoons toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas) for garnish
Method
Preheat your oven to 350°F or 180°C and lightly oil a large iron skillet or another baking tray with a drizzle of olive oil.
Arrange the pumpkin wedges in your prepared baking vessel. Drizzle with a little more olive oil and sprinkle with salt and red pepper flakes.
Roast the pumpkin wedges for 35-40 minutes or until they are fork tender. The skin on the smaller pumpkins is absolutely edible. In fact, it’s my favorite part.
Slice the chilled cheese and cover the pumpkin with the slices. Add a few generous grinds of black pepper and a sprinkle of cayenne.
Return the pan to the oven and roast for a further 10-15 minutes.
Take it out briefly to sprinkle on the pepitas and put it back in the oven.
Roast for another 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is golden on top. If you’d like it a bit darker, you can put the oven on broil/grill for a few minutes but watch it carefully so it doesn’t burn.
Remove from the oven and leave to cool for at least five minutes before serving or that molten cheese might burn your mouth.
Enjoy!
It’s Sunday FunDay and today our group is sharing recipes to trick or treat you for Halloween. Many thanks to our host, Wendy of A Day in the Life on the Farm. Check out the links below.
- Sneha's Recipe: Keto Halloween Eggy Spiders
- A Day in the Life on the Farm: Pumpkin Deviled Eggs
- Food Lust People Love: Roasted Pumpkin Gratin
- Culinary Cam: Shrunken Head Apple Tart
- Amy's Cooking Adventures: Spaghetti & Eyeballs
- Our Good Life: Witches Brew Vodka Cocktail
We are a group of food bloggers who believe that Sunday should be a family fun day, so every Sunday we share recipes that will help you to enjoy your day. If you're a blogger interested in joining us, just visit our Facebook group and request to join.
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