Cooking the Pumpkin:
Place the pumpkin cubes in a pot of boiling salted water and cook for about 10-15 minutes, or until they are tender. You can also steam the pumpkin to better preserve its flavor and nutrients.
Drain and Cool:
Drain the pumpkin and let it cool slightly. This step is important to prevent the pesto from heating up too much while blending.
3.3 Making the Pesto
Blend the Ingredients:
In a blender or in the cup of an immersion blender, combine the cooked pumpkin, grated parmesan, pine nuts, garlic (if using), salt and pepper.
Add the Oil:
Start blending, slowly adding the extra virgin olive oil until you get a creamy consistency. You can adjust the amount of oil based on the creaminess you want.
Add the Lemon Juice:
If you want a touch of freshness, add a little lemon juice and continue blending until you get a smooth pesto.
3.4 Adjust the Seasoning
Taste the pesto and adjust with salt, pepper or parmesan to taste. If the pesto is too thick, you can add a little of the pumpkin cooking water or more oil.
4. Uses for Pumpkin Pesto
4.1 Pasta Sauce
Pumpkin pesto is perfect for dressing short pasta, such as penne or fusilli. Cook the pasta al dente, drain it and mix it with the pumpkin pesto, adding a little cooking water if necessary. You can garnish with grated parmesan and a sprinkling of black pepper.
4.2 Crostini and Canapés
Spread the pumpkin pesto on slices of toasted bread or crostini for a tasty appetizer. You can also add fresh cheeses, such as ricotta or mozzarella, for an extra touch.
4.3 Pizza and Focaccia Filling
Use the pumpkin pesto as a base for pizzas or focaccias. Spread a layer of pesto on the pasta and garnish with ingredients of your choice, such as cheese, mushrooms or ham.
4.4 Stuffing for Vegetables
Use pumpkin pesto as a filling for vegetables, such as zucchini or peppers, to be baked. Stuff the vegetables with the pesto and cook until tender.
