Pumpkin Hummus

Hummus is one of my favorite things to make. It’s perfect for almost every kind of situation and by simply creating a seasonal blend; you can really “wow” your guests with different variations. Simply provide some fresh bread/pita or some nicely cut vegetables and use it as a dip. It’s quite filling and satisfying.

Hummus goes great in flatbreads, sandwiches, purees, and dips. With the combination of seeds and nuts in one element, I lean heavily on making hummus as a go-to simple dish that is sure to please everyone.  I suggest toasting some bread, pita, or naan with chive oil and cutting some fresh veggies down. I’d also accent this with a garnish of toasted seeds/nuts or pickled veggies. 

Traditionally this dish is based off chickpeas, but I’ve found restaurants all over the place using any legume and then calling it a hummus. I would not call this a classical dish at all. I cook American cuisine and it’s a melting pot of local cuisine influenced by an influx of immigration.

This will really be something unique for you to enjoy so do so irresponsibly with an adult beverage. Cheers!

Pumpkin Hummus

Prep time: 5-7 minutes

Cook time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

1 can cannellini beans

8 Tablespoons pumpkin puree

1 juice and zest of lemon or orange

2 Tablespoons Tahini

1 clove roasted garlic (or half clove raw, 1 teaspoons garlic powder)

Salt and pepper

Stock

Smoked paprika

ground cinnamon

sweet and salty pumpkin seeds

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients (except salt, pepper, and stock) into a blender
2. Begin to blend.
3. Slowly add stock and thin until you reach your desired consistency.
4. Season to taste.
5. Finish with smoked paprika, sweet and salty pumpkin seeds, and cinnamon

Pumpkin Puree

This is a great recipe to add to anything and make it “Thanksgiving” themed. I’ve been using this in a lot of my recipes, and will be used in my next 4 installments. It's a really great thing to have around in the house as well, think of it almost like canned tomatoes and you'll be surprised of where your creativity takes you. 

Pumpkins are a really awesome flavoring agent because it’s kind of sweet and savory, combined with the spices in the puree, it adds a great complexity to any dish.

You can also use this as a soup easily by adding a few quarts of stock and 1 cup rice and 1 cup black beans to the base recipe. Finish it with some cheese, drizzle of sour cream, herb, and toasted squash nuts. You will need to season this to taste. I’d suggest using some orange juice or apple cider as well.

Add eggs, cream cheese/mascarpone cheese, and sugar; and turn it into a pie. Put it on a cookie crust and top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of ginger powder and cinnamon. 

You’re possibilities are endless with this great flavor base. Use it for an equal substitute with canned pumpkin in any recipe to make it your own.

Pumpkin Puree

Prep time: 10-15 minutes

Cook time: 2 hours

Ingredients:

2 quarts diced pumpkin

¼ stick butter

1 bay leaf

1 stick cinnamon (or 1 Tablespoon ground)

1 clove (or 1/4 tsp ground)

½ tsp nutmeg (ground or fresh grated)

¼ tsp coriander

1 Tablespoon fresh grated ginger (or 1 1/2 T ground)

Directions:

1. Put a medium pot over the fire on medium heat
2. Melt the butter down with the spices
3. Once the butter starts to brown and the spices infuse, add the pumpkin.
4. Switch the temperature to medium-low
5. Stir mixture occasionally until squash breaks down like this
   
   
   
   
   
6. Transfer mixture to a blender and puree until smooth
7. Pass through a fine mesh strainer to make sure product is smooth
8. Return to the pot and allow reducing until it starts caramelizing (turning brown)