Photo by Judith Hausman
Middle Eastern meets American in this holiday twist.
Inspiration twice over: long, deep-orange pie pumpkins from my CSA and the gift of a Middle Eastern cookbook. The result was pumpkin hummus, a novel hit at Thanksgiving. While any winter squash, especially butternut, would serve, these pie pumpkins are especially nonfibrous and puree very smoothly. This time, I baked the halved and seeded pumpkin for about an hour and scooped out the soft flesh into a food processor. However, simmering peeled chunks will work fine (drain well before pureeing), as does seeding and microwaving the quartered pumpkin at a baked-potato setting. A can of pumpkin puree is perfectly OK, too; just don’t use the preseasoned pie filling.
The puree replaces the chickpeas in the hummus and is mellowed by a little thick Greek yogurt. The other principle ingredient, tahini (sesame paste), enriches the spread, and a drizzle of thick balsamic syrup (or balsamic vinegar that has been reduced and then cooled), date or even maple syrup gives it a sweet accent, as well as a presentation with flair.
Serve the spread with pita bread, pita chips or lavash crackers. Or stack up an amazing sandwich of avocado, radishes and the pumpkin hummus: green, red and orange.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups pumpkin or squash puree
- 2 cloves garlic
- 3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup tahini (sesame paste)
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- salt and pepper, to taste
- for garnish: balsamic syrup, maple syrup or date syrup, black and white sesame seeds, minced cilantro (optional)
PREPARATION
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