Pumpkin Pickle Recipes

PICKLED PUMPKIN

Steps:

• Thoroughly wash a 2-quart preserving jar with a fresh rubber gasket seal, and boil the jar for 10 minutes (without the gasket) to sterilize it. Place the cubed pumpkin in the jar and fit the gasket in place.
• In a large saucepan, combine the vinegar, water, ginger, salt, cloves, and peppercorns. Over low heat, stir the mixture with a wooden spoon until the sugar has dissolved, then increase the heat and bring the mixture to a boil.
• Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes, then pour the hot liquid over the pumpkin in the jar. Immediately seal the jar and let it cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for 1 week before using. Once unsealed, the pickled pumpkin will keep for 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator.

PICKLED PUMPKIN

Steps:

• In a saucepan, bring water and sugar to a boil; cook and stir for 5 minutes. Add pumpkin, vinegar and cloves. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until pumpkin is tender. Discard cloves. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

INDIAN LAMB WITH SPICED PUMPKIN PICKLE

Steps:

• To make the pickle, cook the squash in boiling water for 6-10 mins until just tender but not falling apart. Drain gently.
• Heat the oil in a pan and fry the onions, ginger and chilli for 10-12 mins until soft. Add the mustard seeds, ground coriander and turmeric for 1 min. Stir in the cornflour, then the sugar, then gradually stir in the vinegar. Simmer for 6-8 mins until thickened. Gently stir in the squash until just hot, then divide between 2 hot, sterilised jars and cover. Cool completely. The pickle can be eaten straight away or left in the fridge, unopened, for up to 1 month.
• Put the lamb into a dish. Mix together the yogurt, ground coriander, turmeric, nearly all the chopped coriander, the lemon zest and juice and marinate for 1 hr or up to 1 day.
• Griddle or pan-fry the lamb for 1-2 mins on each side until cooked to your liking, then scatter over the remaining coriander and eat with spoonfuls of pickle and naan.

PICKLED PUMPKIN

Steps:

• Place the vinegar, water and sugar in a large saucepan. Cook, stirring, over a low heat until the sugar has dissolved.
• Add the cinnamon, peppercorns, salt, allspice berries and chili and bring to the boil.
• Add the pumpkin flesh and bring to the boil once more.
• Reduce the heat and simmer the pumpkin gently until cooked through, around 30 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon place the pumpkin in warm, sterile jars, dividing the spices evenly.
• Bring the remaining cooking liquor to the boil and cook briskly until reduced and thickened into a syrup.
• Pour the syrup over the pumpkin, allow to cool and seal.

PUMPKIN PICKLE

Steps:

• Put the prepared pumpkin in a bowl and sprinkle over 2 tbsp sea salt. Toss well, cover and leave at room temperature for 24 hrs.
• Sterilise your jars before you start (see tip, below). Drain and rinse the pumpkin, then tip into a large pan. Add the onion, apple pieces, mustard, coriander and nigella seeds, the sugar, vinegar and bay leaves. Pour 200ml water over everything, then put on a medium heat and bring to a simmer. Put a lid on the pan, leaving a gap for steam to escape, turn the heat up to medium-high and cook for 8 mins.
• Use a cup to scoop out some liquid from the pan and mix 50ml with the turmeric and flour in a small bowl to make a smooth paste. Add a little more of the liquid, mixing well to remove any lumps, until the paste becomes runny, then pour into the pan, and add the ginger and chilli. Simmer for another 5 mins, uncovered, stirring until thickened and the squash has softened but still retains some bite.
• Carefully fill your sterilised jars with the pickle while it's still hot, pressing the chunks of squash down into the liquid to expel air pockets, then pop on the lid. Will keep in a cool, dark place for up to a year. Once opened, store in the fridge and eat within a month. Best served after being left to mature for a month or more, but can be eaten straightaway.

SWEET PUMPKIN PICKLES

Steps:

• Prepare pumpkin by peeling, cubing and discarding seeds and inner pulp.
• Place pumpkin cubes in colander and set over boiling water. Make sure water does not touch pumpkin. Cover and steam until just tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain.
• Simmer vinegar, sugar and cinnamon for 15 minutes.
• Add pumpkin and simmer 3 minutes.
• Set aside for 24 hours.
• Heat and simmer 5 minutes more. Remove cinnamon sticks.
• Pack boiling hot in hot canning jars, leaving 1/2-inch headroom.
• Adjust lids and process in hot water bath for 10 minutes.