Pumpkin Pastries, sports

Did I mention I was getting creative with pumpkin?

They’re so big…..

They don’t look that big until I cut into them, They are almost solid flesh, The center cavity is only 3 of 4 inches across so a ten pound pumpkin produces a lot of veg.

This is what we had last weekend for first courses.

I can buy small, 5″ squares of puff pastry, 4 to a package, which is why we had a combination of pumpkin and pastry 2 nights in a row.

Click here to Pin Pumpkin & Bacon Tart

Pumpkin & Bacon Tart

Print Recipe

You could make a large pastry, then cut it into squares to make a party nibble.

• Author: Katie Zeller
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 2 servings 1x
• Category: First Course

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 – 5” squares of puff pastry
• 1 cup diced pumpkin
• 1 medium leek, trimmed, sliced
• 2 slices bacon, chopped
• 2 tbs Dijon-style mustard
• 1 tsp olive oil

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Instructions

• Thaw the puff pastry, if needed, and cut 2 tarts.
• Heat oil in medium skillet, add bacon, leeks, pumpkin, and sauté until bacon is crisp and leeks and pumpkin are tender.
• Lay pastry on baking sheet, either nonstick or lightly oiled.
• With a butter knife lightly score a line around the edge of each pastry, about 1/4″ (.75 cm) from the edge.  Do not cut through.
• Spread the mustard within the scored lines.
• Spread the pumpkin, leeks and bacon on top, dividing evenly between the pastries.
• Bake in a pre-heated oven at 420F (210C) for 8 – 12 minutes, until edges of pastry have puffed up slightly and are golden brown.
• Remove pastries to plates and serve.

Notes

This can be assembled an hour ahead and baked at the last minute.
Substitute Butternut or other winter squash.

Keywords: pumpkin, bacon, pastries

For the second night:

Click here to Pin Pumpkin Turnovers

Pumpkin Turnovers

Print Recipe

Canned pumpkin would make these really easy. You could do small ‘open-face’ tarts for a party.

• Author: Katie Zeller
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 2 servings 1x
• Category: First Course

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 – 5” squares of puff pastry
• 1/2 cup cooked, mashed pumpkin
• 1/4 cup soft goat cheese
• 1 tsp Dijon-style mustard
• 8 green, pimiento-stuffed olives, sliced

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Instructions

• Thaw the puff pastry, if needed, and cut 2 tarts..
• Mix pumpkin, goat cheese, mustard and olives.
• Lay pastry on baking sheet, either nonstick or lightly oiled.
• Divide the pumpkin mixture and place on half, diagonally
• Fold the pastry (corner to corner) and crimp the edges with your fingers.
• Bake in a pre-heated oven at 400F (200C) for 12 – 15 minutes, until golden brown.
• Remove turnovers to plates and serve.

Notes

Substitute butternut or other winter squash for the pumpkin. If you need to cook raw squash either roast or steam small pieces for 15 – 20 minutes (depending on size)

Keywords: pumpkin, turnovers

Today is Super Bowl Sunday.

I will not be watching the Super Bowl.

I rarely watched it when we lived in the US, although we did go to the parties.

I also will not be watching the opening games of Six Nation Rugby Union. Did you know that Rugby and Rugby Union are 2 different games? Do you care?

Nor will I be watching any of the AFC Asian Cup (soccer / football)

Or the enduring and always fascinating Test Cricket Matches. Do you know the difference between cricket and test cricket?

Can you imagine throwing a test cricket party – for five days? Think of all the beer and nachos…. Or whatever one drinks and eats watching a cricket match.

The only sport I occasionally watch is golf – the Ryder Cup or Solheim Cup.

Yes, the golf is almost as long as a cricket match (4 days v 5 days) but one doesn’t have to pay close attention, I can knit, sketch, peruse cook books or just catch-up with the days highlights.

I play golf so it’s interesting to me.

I tried watching a One Day Cricket Match once…. The problem was that I couldn’t keep my eyelids to stay up.

Anyway, no Super Bowl for me.

But I will watch the commercials tomorrow morning.