Pumpkin Recipes from Brazil
South American Snacks and Meals Using Abobora
Brazilians have the most beautiful Abobora (pumpkins). Different shades or orange and brown, different shapes and all sort of sizes. Here's how to cook and serve them.
In addition to an Abobora dish with Carne Seca, here's a couple of other quick and easy recipes, using the good ol' pumpkin.
Just as versatile as a potatoes, pumpkins offer a wonderful colour contrast on any plate. With a green garnish, such as spring onions, parsley, or coriander, they really do set the scene.
It's a great base for a dish, and can go with just about any meat.
Mostly harvested in Autumn, they are available all year round, with our favourite being the Butternut variety. Slightly sweeter than others, and a brighter shade of orange.
So, pop on your pinnie, and let's get started.
Abobora Au Gratin (Pumpkin Gratin)
Ingredients
- 1 healthy pumpkin
- A dash of salt
- 250 mls fresh cream
- 3 eggs
- A dollop of Margarine
- Breadcrumbs to bind
- Milk
- Garnish with fresh chopped parlsey, and spring onions.
- Olive oil
Method
- Peel and segment the pumpkin.
- Cover with water and a little salt.
- Bring to a boil, and simmer until cooked through, drain.
- Return to the stove top for a minute to remove excess moisture.
- Make a slurry with cornflour and water.
- Mix in the rest of the ingredients, except for the breadcrumbs.
- Place in a shallow baking dish.
- Top with breadcrumbs.
- Bake until breadcrumbs turn light brown.
- Garnish with parsley and spring onions.
- Plate up, with a drizzle of olive oil.
Bolinhos de Abobora Madura (Deep-fried Pumpkin Croquettes)
Ingredients
- 1 healthy pumpkin
- 1 tbsp of butter
- 1 egg yolk
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 tbsp of grated cheddar cheese
- Qty all purpose flour
- Good quality Olives (pitted)
- Chopped parsley
- Vegetable Oil
- Olive oil
Method
- Peel and segment pumpkin.
- Cover with water, bring to the boil, unitl cooked.
- Liquify in a wizzer
- Add egg yolk, salt, cheese, pepper, and mix
- Add flour, until the mix is just dry enough to create balls
- Roll into balls
- Deep fry, until golden brown, drain.
- Serve hot, with a drizzle of olive oil
Great as a canape, snack or side dish.
Aboboras Batadinhas Com Ovos (Pumpkin with eggs)
Ingredients
- 1 pumpkin, peeled and segmented
- Salt and water to cover
- 3 segments of finely chopped garlic
- 2 spring onions, finely chopped
- 2 eggs yolks
- Qty parsley, and Cilantro, finely chopped
- 4 tomatoes, finely chopped
- I onion, peeled and finely chopped
- Qty extra virgin Olive Oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method
- Simmer pumpkin in salt and water until cooked
- Drain, and mash
- Add egg yolks and mix through
- Season with salt and pepper
- Lightly fry, garlic, onion, and spring onions in olive oil
- After 2 or 3 minutes, add pumpkin
- Cook for a further 3 or 4 minutes over a moderate heat
- Garnish with chopped parsley and cilantro
- Serve, drizzled in extra virgin olive oil
Fantastic by itself, or as a side. Perfect with meatloaf.
All of these recipes are quick and easy to make, and offer great flavour and colour contrasts. Start experimenting today.
Bom apetite.
