INGREDIENTS
1 Sugar Pie Pumpkin
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon butter
1 tablespoon apple or orange juice
1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
Salt and pepper, just a pinch
1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan cheese
PREPARATION
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Cut a square cap around pumpkin stem.
- Use a strong knife that will allow you to pierce the hard skin and cut through to the middle of the squash.
- Pry out the cap then and scoop out and scrape interior with a spoon to remove all seeds and fibers.
- Place the pumpkin in a 9”x9” baking pan.
- Sprinkle spices and thyme, salt, and pepper into the pumpkin.
- Add the butter, juice and maple syrup or honey and rotate the pumpkin to spread seasonings around the interior of the pumpkin.
- Place the cap back over the opening, but do not press in fully.
- Bake until creamy-soft inside at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. To ensure the pumpkin is ready you can test it with knife tip (it will slide through the skin easily.
- Let stand 15 to 60 minutes.
- Serve with a dusting of Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.
Cook’s note: Pair with Sautéed Russian Red Kale, Sweet Potatoes, and Apples for a seasonal treat.