Roasted Pumpkin

I absolutely love roasted pumpkin! And is there a better time to have it then in October? there are so many pumpkins hanging around for Halloween but I find that during this time of year the great butternut pumpkin can be a bit forgotten. Of course if there is another pumpkin you want to use please go ahead, share the pumpkin love!

My personal preference is butternut as it has a natural sweetness which in absolutely delicious when roasted!

Well not today! This recipe is very simple and the result? delicious roasted pumpkin to enjoy in salads, with steak or even on its own!

- 1 Butternut Pumpkin (about 1 Kg chopped)

- 1 tsp salt

- 1/2 tsp cinnamon

- 1-2 Tbsp olive oil

- Chopping board

- Knife

- Large plastic bag

- Baking tray

- Baking paper

- Oven

Before cutting your pumpkin take a spoon and scoop out any seeds (sometimes the seeds can damage knives when cutting them). Then turn the pumpkin over onto its flat side and slice the pumpkin into 3-5cm pieces (or however thick you want them)

Then cut the rind off the pumpkin, I REALLY love my pumpkin so I try and cut as close as possible to the skin (just get rid of the light rind) to prevent delicious pumpkin from going to waste, then you get more delicious pumpkin to eat!

In a large plastic bag place the pumpkin, olive oil, salt and cinnamon (if you want to add any pepper or other herbs go ahead, make it your own :D).

Then mix the pumpkin around in the plastic bag, so that all the pieces of pumpkin are evenly coated. Then place in a preheated oven at 190 degrees Celcius for between 30-45 minutes. this will depend on how thick your pumpkin chunks are and also how brown you like them. check them at the 30 minute mark and go from there.

I love having this pumpkin with a nice steak and freshly steamed broccoli but it can be used for so many things! It is a great recipe to have as a base for anything. You could use this to make

- Pumpkin pasties

- Roasted pumpkin soup

- Roasted pumpkin pie

- Pumpkin risotto

The possibilities are endless!!!