Thess 5/16/19 Thess 5/16/19

Pumpkin tray with pea pesto, yoghurt and fresh herbs

The idea is simple - but a veggie on a tray, bake until soft and sweet and top with pea pesto, drizzled yoghurt, seeds and some shaved red cabbage for extra crisp!

So, the the idea with this dish is to start with a veggie (preferably in season) which you bake and then top with some legume pesto/hummus/bean spread etc. Serve it as a side to your dinner, part of a buffet or add a handful of cooked or soaked grains (oats, spelt, sorghum etc) or pseudo grains (quinoa, buckwheat) to make it a filling and complete dinner!

Pumpkin tray with pea pesto, yoghurt and fresh herbs

Serves 4 as a side

Ingredients

1 butternut squash or pumpkin such as Hokkaido pumpkin *

Pea pesto

250 grams green peas

1/2 dl / 0.2 cups pepitas/pumpkin seeds

2 handfulls of fresh basil

1 Tbsp nutritional yeast

1 Tbsp cold pressed olive oil

salt and freshly ground black pepper

For serving

Cammelina seeds **

fresh basil

red cabbage, raw shaved

How to

Pre heat the oven to 175°C / 350°F. Wash and cut the pumpkin in smaller pieces (but not too small - I like to serve quite big chunks!). Put on a baking tray and bake in the oven for about 25-30 minutes until soft and sweet. When baking pumpkins, butternut squash and courgettes I usually don’t use any oil since they contain quite a lot of water as it is! However - for that extra shiny cover and some crisp brush with oil before baking in the oven.

Mix all the ingredients, except for the pumpkin seeds, for the pesto in a food processor until your preferred pesto texture. Add the pumpkin seeds and pulse a few times. Salt and pepper to taste.

Add bid dollops of pea pesto straight on top of the pumpkin, drizzle over som yoghurt and sprinkle with camelina seeds!

* Other yummy things to put on your tray could be: cauliflower, new potatoes, courgette, aubergine, carrots and sweet potatoes JUST TO MENTION A FEW. Feel free to add your favourites below!

** Camelina seeds are fiber and protein rich tiny seeds which roasted taste a bit nutty. Gives a nice texture on top of salads, crisp bread toppings or porridge! Great to add to your smoothie as well. Also I've heard it can be used as a egg replacement but never tried it - any of you who’ve done it?