Pumpkin Stew : A warming vegetarian dish

"This lentil and pumpkin stew is all about how to make a straightforward recipe a lot more exciting - with very little effort. Perfect for when it’s cooling down outside and you want something really warming.

Ingredients

Serves Four
40g/1½oz butter
2 onions, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 stick celery, chopped
3 sprigs rosemary
2 bay leaves
1 clove garlic, chopped
400g/14oz lentils
1.2litres/2pints 2fl oz vegetable stock
600g/1lb 5oz assorted pumpkin or squash (total chopped weight)
small bunch parsley, chopped
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
4 tbsp sour cream

Method
1. In a large pan melt the butter and then add chopped onions, carrot and celery. Tear in the rosemary and a couple of bay leaves and after a few minutes add the chopped garlic. When all have nicely softened, tip in the lentils and pour over 1litre/1¾ pints of vegetable stock. Bring to the boil and then leave to simmer whilst you tend to the pumpkin.
2. Using a variety of pumpkins and squashes gives the stew a more complex flavour. Here acorn squash and Cinderella are used, but you want to end up with about 600g/1lb 5oz of peeled pumpkin in large chunks. Add them to the stew, season and then pour over enough water to just cover all the ingredients. Put a lid on the pan and leave to simmer for 30-40 minutes.
3. When the stew is almost ready, add the chopped parsley.
4. To make the stew creamier, remove a small bowlful to a food processor and blitz it with 200ml/2fl oz of stock. Pour it back in and the stew becomes instantly more velvety.
5. Serve the stew in bowls, finishing each helping off with a cooling spoonful of sour cream.

Each serving provides
8g protein, 28g carbohydrate, 12g fat, 9g fibre and 2g salt."
From original recipe idea here

Related Post
Although pumpkin has many health benefits which you can read about in this post
P is for Pumpkin - here
A word of caution … Pumpkin is mildly diuretic and could be a problem for people who take certain medications, especially lithium.

There is a variety of articles and recipe ideas within this blog, and it is important to note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic (more about this here) and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use a reliable meter. If you have any concerns about your health it is always advisable to consult your Doctor or health care team

All the best Jan