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Share a Spoon - Creamy Pumpkin Rigatoni

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Think Tank Momma



Happy Thursday Smackers!

It's Share a Spoon Time!

GOURDS
(well ya know, the things that make gourds *wink*)

I really love all the flavors of fall.  The root veggies, the hard squash varieties, the apples and fruits, and of course all the baked goods.  I absolutely love Fall Foods!

I thought about making some pumpkin confection for this week's theme, but I will wait for our actual PUMPKIN only theme.  This week I thought I would offer up my savory squash/pumpkin sides.

First is simple and really, it's not a recipe.  I cut up a large onion.  In a deep frying pan sauté the onions in olive oil until they are completely cooked through.  Add in 6-7 summer yellow squash that have been cut into thin rounds.  Grate in 2 cloves of fresh garlic (garlic powder is a fine substitution here), salt and pepper.  Cook the squash until onions are caramelized and the squash is soft and browned.  I can't make enough of this.  Every last bit is always eaten.  Even from my picky, I hate vegetable boys!

Now this is an actual written recipe that you can follow.




Creamy Pumpkin Rigatoni

Ingredients:

1 box prepared Rigatoni (or any ridged short pasta)
1 - 15oz can pumpkin puree
3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 cloves grated garlic
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 cup reserved pasta water
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
salt and pepper

Directions:

Cook pasta according to directions on the package.  Be sure to salt the water liberally. Reserve 2 cups of the pasta water.  Drizzle a bit of olive oil on the drained pasta and add a handful of parmesan cheese.  The cheese will stick to the pasta.  The sauce will stick to the cheese.

While the pasta is cooking start the sauce.
In a large sauce pan melt the butter and olive oil together.
Add in oregano, red pepper flakes and grated garlic.
Allow mixture to cook over low heat for a few minutes.
Add in pumpkin puree. (Be careful, oil is hot and may splatter up.)
Stir well to incorporate the oil and spice mixture with the pumpkin.
Stir in cream and parmesan cheese.
Add one cup of pasta water.
Grate in fresh nutmeg.

Pour the sauce over the drained and cheesed pasta.  If the sauce is a little thick add a bit of the reserved pasta water to thin it out.

(Cook's Note:  Um...do not use that green can of parmesan.  That stuff is way to dry.)

My picky boys love this pasta.  Absolutely love it.  I top the pasta with a sprinkle of parmesan just to make it look pretty.  It pairs nicely with chicken or pork chops!



Alrighty Smackers, there you have my savory pumpkin dish.  Plus a yellow squash simple quick fix.  What are your favorite squashy dishes?

Share with us won't you?

Now, leave me some love and go check out the links!






12 comments:

Buffee said...

Hmmmm, I've never had this before? But it sounds delicious! I will have to try it out!

June said...

Now this is a recipe I would love to try!
Need to run to the store for some fresh parm and heavy cream. I have a bowl of real pumpkin sitting in my fridge waiting to be used.

OLLIE MCKAY'S ~ A Chic Boutique said...

Oh Wow ~ my mouth is watering!! I LOVE anything pumpkin and love pasta too! Can't wait to try out this recipe ~ Thanks so much for sharing!!

Michelle Pixie said...

Oooooh YUM! I have some pumpkin in my fridge just waiting to be used...I am going to make this tonight. Thanks for sharing! :)

Marcela said...

This sounds like a perfect fall recipe! I have to try this!

Babes Mami said...

Ditto on Michelle, I have pumpkin I was going to make bread with and I was going to make rigatoni tonight BUT I can totally surprise the husband by making this instead!

Andrea said...

When are you inviting me over for dinner?

Anonymous said...

HHmmmmm, Ive never had a savory pumpkin dish before. Maybe someday I'll try it. Or I'll just wait til you can make it for me!

Ma What's 4 dinner said...

I am sooooo making this over the weekend. Great call. Thanks for being so right on for my Good Will Hunting trivia bit. LOVE THAT MOVIE!

Lots of yummy love,
Alex aka Ma What's For Dinner
www.mawhats4dinner.com

Papi KoRndOg said...

Hey I thought I was already following but I failed lol anyhow, I'd like to link for this and will be checking it out next week. Mami made your pasta tonight...DEEEEELISSH!

Go Mommy said...

This looks so good, I am a huge pasta person, I m so going to have to try this.

Holly Lefevre said...

I am all over this one! YUM!