Roasted Pumpkin Risotto with Hazelnut and Sage Butter
NEW RECIPE!
Hey everyone, I hope you’re all having a lovely week.
This weeks newsletter is celebrating the return of pumpkin season. I picked up one from my local grocers and decided I wanted to make a risotto with it. I have to say, I do think risottos are seriously underrated — they’re often seen as fancy, but they’re actually super comforting and easier to make than people think. Adding a golden toasted butter to finish makes this one extra indulgent dish. Rich with hazelnuts and sage it adds a really lovely fragrant touch to the recipe. In its simplest form, this ones just a really crave-able Autumn evening dish and I hope you like it.
Delica pumpkin is an absolute gem when it comes to flavour. Its natural sweetness, velvety texture, and slightly nutty undertones make it perfect for autumn dishes. When roasted, it becomes tender and caramelised, bringing a deep richness that pairs beautifully with something creamy like a risotto. It’s not only delicious but also just quite gorgeous to look at, with its vibrant orange flesh making any dish pop with colour. Pumpkin is a really versatile ingredient. In this risotto recipe I roasted it in wedges, puréeing half for the base flavour of the risotto and using the other half to top the dish.
If you can’t find Delica pumpkin, don’t worry! Butternut squash is a great alternative with a similar sweetness and smooth texture. If you do choose to use a butternut squash for this recipe, I prefer not to top with the butternut pieces with the skin on, but that’s my personal preference. To get a nice crisp edge on the wedges to top, it’s best to peel the butternut squash before roasting.
If you are buying a pumpkin, don’t toss the seeds! They make a tasty snack that’s easy to prepare. After scooping them out, give them a good rinse and dry them off. You can roast them with a little olive oil and salt for a crunchy, savoury topping or toss them with spices like paprika or cumin for a delicious salted snack. They’re also great roasted and mixed into a homemade granola for added crunch and flavour.