Sicilian Spicy Pumpkin Recipes

SPICY SICILIAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 500 degrees F. Put the onions, olives, chiles and bay leaves on a rimmed baking sheet. Cut 1 orange half into wedges and add to the baking sheet.
• Evenly space the chicken thighs, skin-side up, on the baking sheet on top of the other ingredients. Drizzle with the olive oil and squeeze the juice from the remaining orange half on top. Season with salt.
• Roast until the chicken is cooked through and the skin is crisp and golden, 30 to 35 minutes. Discard the bay leaves. Serve the chicken with the onions, olives, oranges and pan juices.

SPICY PUMPKIN CHILI

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat; cook and stir the beef in the skillet until crumbly and no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Stir in the red pepper flakes, garlic, and onion; continue cooking until the beef has browned and the onion has softened and turned translucent. Add the green and red bell pepper and cook 5 minutes more.
• While the beef is cooking, combine the kidney beans, black beans, Great Northern beans, tomato sauce, tomato sauce with garlic and onions, petite diced tomatoes, fire roasted diced tomatoes, and pumpkin puree in a large slow cooker. Season with pumpkin pie spice, chili powder, cumin, and salt. Stir in the ground beef mixture.
• Cook on Low until the chili is hot, 1 to 2 hours.

SICILIAN SPICY PUMPKIN

Steps:

• Cut the pumpkin flesh as you would a melon, into long, half-moon-shaped slices roughly 1cm thick. Heat the olive oil in a large shallow pan and fry the pumpkin with the garlic clove for about 3 mins, discarding the garlic as soon as it colours. You may need to do this in 2 batches. When all the pumpkin slices are fried, return them to the pan, draining off any excess oil first. Take off the heat.
• Dredge the pumpkin slices with the sugar and cinnamon. Mix well, then sprinkle with the vinegar, mint and pepper to taste. Cover with a lid or plate, and leave to infuse for at least 15 mins before serving warm or cold.

CHICKEN SICILIAN

Steps:

• Cut the chicken into pieces. Place a saute pan over medium-high heat. Add enough oil to lightly coat the bottom of the pan and heat. Add the chicken and brown on both sides. Add the onion and the cherry peppers. Discard any excess oil. Add the mushrooms, olives, and capers. Add a dash of paprika and 3 to 4 ounces lightly salted butter. Cook on a high flame until the butter is completely melted, mixing to keep the butter from separating.

SICILIAN SWEET AND SOUR PUMPKIN AKA FEGATO AI SETTE CANNOLI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F Cut pumpkin in half and remove seeds. Place cut side down on baking sheet. Bake about 45 minutes or until tender but not mush. Flesh should be firm enough to cut into 1/2 inch cubes or slices. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper
• Bring 1 cup of stock to boil in saucepan and cook onions in it uncovered until tender over moderate heat. When most of the liquid is evaporated, sprinkle the onions with the sugar and cook until they start to caramelize.
• Add the vinegar and remaining stock and continue to cook until they are a deep golden brown but not burned. Add water if the mix seems dry.
• The onions should end up in a sweet and sour syrup. Toss the cubes with the onion mix and stir to coat. Sprinkle with the mint [or parsley]
• 1 1/4 cups equals one serving. This serves four.

SPICY PUMPKIN ROTI FILLING

Steps:

• Heat the oil or ghee in a large pot over high heat. Add the ginger and cinnamon stick and sizzle for 1 minute.
• Add the pumpkin and sprinkle with the garam masala. Stir for 1 or 2 minutes over high heat, until the pumpkin is coated with the spices. Watch carefully; do not burn the spices.
• Reduce the heat to medium, cover, and let simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the pumpkin is soft.
• Remove and discard the ginger and cinnamon. Mash the pumpkin with a potato masher into a course puree. Add salt to taste, stir and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes over low heat, or until the excess moisture evaporates. (The mixture should be the consistency of a thick puree). Let cool a few minutes before adding to roti.