Pumpkin isn’t just good for pies and lattes. Here, it pairs with real maple syrup and farro — an ancient wheat grain — for a plant-forward dish that's savory, nourishing and perfectly cozy for fall.
Ingredients
- 1 small Kent, kabocha or butternut pumpkin, de-seeded and cut into 8 wedges
- 2 red onions, cut into wedges
- 3 cloves garlic
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 cup farro
- 3 cups vegetable stock
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/3 cup shelled pistachios, roughly chopped
- 1/3 cup currants
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped parsley and/or chives
- 100 g baby spinach leaves
- salt and pepper, to taste
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Line a flat baking tray with silicone paper.
- Lay the pumpkin wedges, onion wedges and garlic cloves in a single layer on the baking tray.
- Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and season well with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and drizzle with the maple syrup.
- Return to the oven for 5 – 8 minutes, or until the pumpkin is well cooked and is a bit crispy and caramelized from the maple syrup.
- Set aside to cool to room temperature.
- Meanwhile, bring 3 cups of vegetable stock to a boil and add the farro to the pot. Cook for about 20 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed and the farro is soft, but with some bite remaining.
- Tip the farro into a medium-sized bowl and pour over the remaining olive oil and the lemon juice.
- Stir gently but well to combine. Add the pistachios, currants and herbs and mix well.
- To serve, place two wedges of pumpkin on 4 plates. Divide the onion and garlic among the plates. Toss the spinach with the farro and place it on one side of the pumpkin.
- Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper, and a little extra virgin olive oil, if desired.
Yield: 4 servings
View the original recipe on the Blue Zones site.
*HonorHealth is steadfast in our commitment to go beyond the traditional expectations of a healthcare system. We are proud to be the presenting sponsor of Blue Zones Project Scottsdale, along with Cigna Healthcare and Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona.
The Blue Zones Project Scottsdale represents a multi-year collaborative effort with the City of Scottsdale that involves the entire community working together toward one common goal – to support and build a culture of community health and well-being.