In lieu of photos of skeletal trees, interesting living sculptures, and a harrowing (!) trip to a ghost town, this year I’m offering up a Hallowe’en post with a recipe. It’s a frighteningly good one, though, and it uses pumpkin, so it will hopefully meet with unanimous approval and gifts of tiny individually-wrapped chocolates.
Roasted Pumpkin and Lentils
SPOILER ALERT: Gratuitous pumpkin gore ahead*
1 small pumpkin
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup red lentils, washed and drained
4 cups water
½ tsp ground turmeric
½ tsp salt
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tbsp cumin seeds
1 tsp ground curry
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp fresh ginger, peeled and minced
1 large tomato, diced
1 tsp red pepper flakes
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Metric conversion table here.
*First, prepare the pumpkin. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Carefully cut the pumpkin in half, and scoop out the seeds. (Save the seeds to roast later on). Place the pumpkin, cut sides up, on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Brush olive oil into the cavity of the pumpkin halves. Roast the pumpkin in the hot oven for 45 minutes. Cool, then scoop out the flesh into bite-sized pieces.
Using a colander, rinse the lentils under cool water. Into a large saucepan, place the 4 1/2 cups of water and lentils. Bring to a boil. Add the turmeric and salt. Cover the pot and cook at medium heat for about 20 minutes or until the lentils are soft.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds, curry, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the roasted pumpkin and lentils (including the liquid) to the pan. Mix well. Cook about 5 minutes, then add fresh parsley. Serve over hot cooked rice or noodles.
I think it would be highly appropriate to chow down on this festive comfort food with a side of miniature chocolate bars while enjoying a recording of Vincent Price and Basil Rathbone reading Edgar Allan Poe stories and poems (the link may be found here; you’ll need a Spotify account to listen). Freakishly fantastic!
Flowery Prose 
Every single ingredient sounds good, which means that the result ought to be good, too. I’m looking forward to trying this one, and sharing it with friends who also are pumpkin lovers.
Many thanks! I hope you enjoy it!
Sounds great, keep the chocolate!
I don’t mind at all…. 😉
It does sound good, so I’ll definitely have to try it! The chocolate can be eaten while making, yes?
I should take that advice and add it to the recipe instructions: “While the pumpkin is roasting in the oven, consume several small chocolate bars.” Excellent!
This sounds fabulous and I just happen to have a medium sized pumpkin uncharted, ready for cooking…
I hope you get a chance to try it! 🙂
Lovely recipe Sheryl! I also enjoyed listening to the wonderful Vincent Price. I had forgotten what a fantastic voice he had.
I’m so glad you had a chance to take a listen…I was delighted to find that link with the readings.
Pumpkins and lentils; an excellent combination. Spine-tingling good.
I’m on a serious lentil kick lately, and this is a great combination.
Yes, lentils are just so good.
My goodness – I’ve been busy at work all day and I just caught the news that there has been another earthquake there; I’m not certain of all the details just yet. I am thinking of you and your family and friends and neighbours and hoping you are all safe.
Sheryl, we are safe. Thank you for your concern. The earthquakes and aftershocks have been felt throughout New Zealand. My immediate area has been shaken but there doesn’t appear to be any damage. Other areas have not been as fortunate.
Very relieved to hear you are safe and hoping for the very best for everyone in the affected areas. So frightening!
Thanks Sheryl. In some areas of the country there is an enormous amount to do repairing the infrastructure.
Delicious! I plan on making this soon.
I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Pumpkin iss v ery good for soupe
I love pumpkin soup – healthy AND tasty!
I’m going to try your recipe! I have two pumpkins left from the garden. They were planted by the squirrels, so I don’t know if they’re sweet or savory, but I’ll give it a go and I’ll report back. Thanks, Sheryl!
Sounds great! I loved your posts about your Hallowe’en celebrations – you always have so much fun with your costumes and decorations!
Thank you, Sheryl. It already feels like light years ago. We did have a wonderful time.
This looks wonderful! ❤