Savory Pumpkin in Oil

This Pumpkin in Oil recipe shows a unique way to use pumpkin in Autumn. While everyone gravitates toward pumpkin soup in the Fall, consider trying this recipe which can be served alongside sandwiches for lunch or added into salads. It is also delicious to serve along the side of any dinner including roasted meat and potatoes.

To make the pumpkin in oil, you begin by halving the pumpkin and peeling it and cutting it into cubes. Then, the pumpkin gets cooked in a pot of water mixed with vinegar and bay leaves, and boiled for a few minutes until tender. Finally, the pumpkin cubes get placed in a jar with olive oil, chili pepper, rosemary, and garlic. Then, the pumpkin can go into the fridge to marinate until you are ready to serve it. The bright colored pumpkin infused with rosemary, chili pepper, and garlic is a wonderful side dish to any meal.

What is Pumpkin in Oil?

This pumpkin in oil recipe is a classic in Italian cuisine. Often, the pumpkin is canned in oil for lengthy preservation but this version doesn’t require any canning and simply goes into the fridge until you are ready to enjoy it.

Pumpkin in oil usually includes some garlic, chili peppers, and herbs for seasoning. This version uses rosemary, which has an incredibly robust flavor, but other versions use thyme. The seasonings infuse into the pumpkin, providing a savory contrast to the sweet pumpkin.

Pro Tips

•  Make sure you don’t overcook the pumpkin as you don’t want it to turn to mush. It only needs to be cooked or a 5 minutes or so to ensure it is tender enough to eat it.
• Consider adding other seasonings to the jar such as sprigs of thyme, sage leaves, black peppercorns, dried chilis, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and more.
• This is best made in small batches as it should be eaten within a week of making it.
• Any flavorful pumpkin will work well in this recipe. You could also use a firm-fleshed orange squash such as butternut squash.
• If the pumpkin you use is quite large, you can use leftover pumpkin in risotto, salads, or for soup.

What to Serve with Pumpkin in Oil?

Pumpkin in oil can be served as a side dish with any Fall meal such as a beef stew, minestrone soup, or baked beans. However, it can also be served alongside sandwiches with Italian cold cuts, cheeses, and arugula, or added into salads.

Can I Replace the Pumpkin with Butternut Squash?

Yes, you definitely could! Butternut squash tends to be quite accessible and has a similar texture and flavor to pumpkin.

Can I Use a Different Type of Vinegar?

Yes, if you don’t have white wine vinegar on hand, you could replace it with apple cider vinegar. While it has more color than white wine vinegar, it is quite light and shouldn’t discolor the pumpkin.

How Can I Tell the Pumpkin is Cooked Enough?

You will know the pumpkin has cooked long enough when you can stick a fork into it easily. If it still seems very firm, just give it a few minutes longer to cook.

How to Store Pumpkin in Oil

This pumpkin in oil recipe can go into the fridge until you are ready to serve it. It is best enjoyed within a week of being made but it may stay fresh for longer. Once you have eaten all of the pumpkin, you can use the infused olive oil for your cooking or for making vinaigrettes for salads.

How to Make Pumpkin in Oil

Step 1

Step 1

Cut the pumpkin in half, remove the inner seeds, peel it, and cut it into cubes.

Cut the pumpkin in half, remove the inner seeds, peel it, and cut it into cubes.

Step 2

Step 2

Combine the water, vinegar, and bay leaves in a pot. Add the pumpkin and bring it to a boil for 5 minutes. Drain the pumpkin.

Combine the water, vinegar, and bay leaves in a pot. Add the pumpkin and bring it to a boil for 5 minutes. Drain the pumpkin.

Step 3

Step 3

Fill jars with the olive oil, pumpkin, chili peppers, garlic, and rosemary, alternating the ingredients to ensure they are evenly distributed through the jars.

Fill jars with the olive oil, pumpkin, chili peppers, garlic, and rosemary, alternating the ingredients to ensure they are evenly distributed through the jars.

Step 4

Step 4

Close the jars and place them in the fridge until you are ready to serve them.

Close the jars and place them in the fridge until you are ready to serve them.

Step 5

Step 5

When ready to serve, place the pumpkin in a bowl.

When ready to serve, place the pumpkin in a bowl.