Spicy roast pumpkin. If you love roasted vegetables showcasing crispy, caramelized edges and a little heat, these pumpkin wedges deserve a place on your dinner table. Thick wedges of pumpkin are coated in olive oil, cumin, garam masala and red chili powder, then roasted until beautifully browned on the outside, and soft and creamy in the middle. Finish with a light drizzle of fresh lemon juice. This easy roasted pumpkin recipe works as a side dish for a weeknight dinner, or a festive feast. The best part? You need only a handful of everyday ingredients, and most of the work happens in the oven.
Why I Love This Spicy Side Dish
The recipe combines the natural sweetness of pumpkin with contrasting flavors of spices and chili. When it comes to choosing the best pumpkin for the recipe, kent variety is my favorite with a rich, nutty flavor. You can use other pumpkin varieties, too. The most important thing is to choose firm, fresh pumpkin, and cut the wedges to a similar size so they cook evenly.
Coat the wedges with the spices and oil. Don’t be tempted to drown the wedges in oil. For well-browned pumpkin, a hot oven is essential. And one of the most important rules of the recipe is “don’t overcrowd the tray”. This is because the pumpkins will begin to steam instead of roasting and browning.
The wedges take approximately 30-45 minutes to roast, depending on the size. However, this is only a guide, you should start checking around the 30-minute mark. The pumpkin is ready when a knife slides easily through the thickest part and the edges are golden and browned. Just watch carefully towards the end as the spice mixture can burn quickly.
The dish is:
- Easy to prepare
- Delicious with crispy, caramelized edges
- Naturally vegetarian
- Excellent alongside meat, fish or chicken mains
- Customizable from mildly spicy to seriously hot
Key Ingredients In Spicy Roast Pumpkin
- Pumpkin - Kent, butternut, or Jap.
- Spices - Cumin, garam masala, red chili powder.
How To Make Spicy Roast Pumpkin
Step 1 - Prep and season the pumpkin
Remove the seeds and fibrous center, and peel the pumpkin. Cut into thick wedges. Pat the pieces dry if they have excess moisture on the surface. Season with the spices, olive oil, salt and pepper.
Step 2 - Arrange on a baking tray and roast
Place all the wedges on a large baking tray. Do not overcrowd the tray. Use two trays if necessary. Roast for approximately 30-45 minutes. Once done, remove pumpkin from the oven. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
How To Get Crispy Roast Pumpkin
Even though pumpkins will not become as crisp as potatoes, you can achieve beautiful brown, caramelized edges.
The key is to:
- Use a hot oven.
- Cut the pumpkin into “thick” wedges.
- Pat dry wedges before seasoning.
- Avoid excessive oil.
- Leave plenty of space between the wedges.
- Allow the pumpkin to brown properly before removing it from the oven.
Spicy Roast Pumpkin
Ingredients
- 500 g pumpkin
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh lemon juice, to drizzle
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200ºC (400ºF).
- Peel pumpkin skin, remove seeds, and cut pumpkin into 2cm thick, evenly sized wedges.
- Place pumpkin wedges on a large baking tray.
- Add ground cumin, garam masala, red chili powder, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Toss until evenly coated.
- Arrange wedges in a single layer on the tray, leaving space between them.
- Roast for about 30-40 minutes, until tender, browned and caramelized on the edges.
- Finish with a light drizzle of fresh lemon juice.
Nutrition
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Frequently Asked Questions About Spicy Roast Pumpkin
Is pumpkin good for roasting?
Yes. Pumpkin is perfect for roasting because its flesh becomes tender and its natural sweetness becomes more concentrated as moisture evaporates.
Should you peel pumpkin before roasting?
Usually, no. Depending on the variety, the skin can be left on during roasting.
Why is my roasted pumpkin watery?
The most common causes are excessive moisture, overcrowding the tray or insufficient oven heat. Give the wedges plenty of space and roast at a high temperature.
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