Gourd for You: 5 Fall-tastic Pumpkin and Squash Recipes
In the fleeting window between summer’s end and the start of the holidays, there’s the coziest of the transitional seasons: autumn. Sure, school is back and, with it, the packed schedules and busy days. But for all the homework, meetings, and sports practices, there are pleasures not available any other time of year: firepits, apple picking, fresh-pressed cider (and cider donuts!), all-flannel-everything, and pumpkins. S🎃many pumpkins.
From lattes to candles to porch decorations, pumpkins are that girl in the fall. Of course, our favorite way to use pumpkins — and all the other autumnal gourds and squashes — is to use them in the kitchen, pairing their earthy, rich sweetness with ZENB Pasta and other complementary ingredients, like goat cheese, herbs, and nuts.
So, after you hit the farmers market to peruse all the pretty pumpkins, try these fabulous recipes for satisfying autumn meals. Tip: There’s no shame in the canned pumpkin or squash game if you’re short on time, or want to skip the effort of breaking down a gourd.
Pumpkin, Sage & Pecan Agile
It seems almost impossible that just eight ingredients can create a dish so full of flavor and personality. There is a culinary alchemy that happens with the combination of pumpkin puree, sage, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, and it is on full display in this surprisingly easy recipe. ZENB Pasta Agile cooks in just three minutes, so this meal comes together in just 15 minutes (yes, really).
Pumpkin, Sage, and Goat Cheese ZENB Lasagna
This superb supper dish takes the same flavors as the Agile recipe above and remixes them into a soul-soothing lasagna. It’s a stunning centerpiece at a dinner party, with three kinds of cheese melting into the pumpkin puree, layered between no-boil, oven-ready yellow pea ZENB Lasagna.
Chipotle-Spiced ZENB Pumpkin Penne Pasta
Pumpkin has its own instantly recognizable flavor, but it also makes a lovely backdrop for other flavors. In this 30-minute recipe, spicy adobo sauce (from canned chipotle peppers) brings a potent punch of heat that deftly balances pumpkin’s sweetness. The ridges in the ZENB Penne grab onto the silky sauce, for a true textural delight. For more on why certain pasta shapes work best in specific recipes, head here.
ZENB Chipotle Rotini with Squash and Hazelnuts
Olive oil infused with chipotle peppers brings a slightly more subtle spice to this dish than the bold recipe above. It doesn’t overpower the mild, creamy, nutty flavor of the acorn squash, which is enhanced by a squeeze of lemon juice, a sprinkle of toasted hazelnuts, and a few fragrant springs of mint!
ZENB Elbows Pasta with Butternut Squash & Goat Cheese
Squash and goat cheese are a classic pairing, reminiscent of farmhouse cuisine, where just-harvested fall vegetables meet the cheese that’s been aging since the goat kidding season a few months prior. Our recipe starts with roasted butternut squash, which draws out even more of its sweet character, tossed with ZENB Elbows and tangy crumbled goat cheese. Toasted pumpkin seeds add a gratifying crunch as a garnish.
For more meals to embrace and celebrate the autumn, check out these hearty, cozy ZENB pasta recipes. That’s just the beginning! The full ZENB recipe collection is home to 150+ plant-fueled dishes, easily sortable by course, health and nutrition considerations, main ingredient, and ZENB pasta type. There’s something for every vibe and every type of home cook! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for daily cooking and wellness inspo, and check out our YouTube channel for fun web shows like “ZENB Presents” and “ZENB Academy.”
