,

Roasted Pumpkin Filled with Everything Good


How could you not stuff a pumpkin with everything good? Especially when it’s a week before Halloween and you already have foot-long icicles hanging from your roof.

I met Dorie Greenspan last year in Austin. I recognized her son first, sitting on the arm of her chair in the hotel lounge. They had been (and still are) opening a series of pop-up cookie shops called Beurre & Sel, and I had more than a little cookie crush. Whomever I was with – someone blocked out of my memory by the brightness of that Dorie sun – introduced me, and we had a short chat, and I smiled all the way back to my room.

The next evening I was at a party – with about 500 other people – when I spotted Dorie chatting with Jacques Pépin a few yards away. She turned and caught my eye, and the two of them came through the crowd, directly toward me. I assumed she was coming to say hi to someone standing in my vicinity but no – she had come over to say hi, and ask me how my day was. And then I met Jacques, who plopped an ice cube into his glass of white wine. And I may have pinched myself, or jabbed myself in the leg with a fork, and possibly skipped back to my hotel, I can’t remember.

I came home and immediately bought Around My French Table and it sat by my bed, to be occasionally flipped through but mostly to act as a sort of second end table-slash-laundry stool. And I watched as people cooked from it and posted about it, and I kept meaning to follow suit but didn’t. And the one recipe that was at the same time the most appealing and unappealing was the whole roasted pumpkin filled with everything good. Because how lovely is a soft, roasted pumpkin that has caved in on itself and its bread-cheese-bacon filling? Except that I have never been a huge fan of pumpkin. Then again, I’ve always associated it with pie – if I think of it as a winter squash, I love it. (That’s right, I don’t like pumpkin pie. I think I may be the only one.)


So this week as the boys sat at the kitchen table and hollowed out pumpkins – small sugar pumpkins, those smaller, smoother Jack-o-Lantern-looking ones – I decided to save one from getting a face, and instead stuffed it with everything good, and baked it. The idea is that the squash gets soft as it roasts, and you scoop it out along with the cheesy, bready innards, almost like a gooey gratin.


And it was easy – and it was good. Next time, I think I’ll bake a curry in the pumpkin – really, you could bake or braise anything that goes with squash inside one.


Roasted Pumpkin Filled with Everything Good

AuthorJulie

Yields1 Serving

1 sugar pumpkin, about 2-3 pounds
canola or olive oil
salt and pepper
3-4 slices (about 1/4 pound) stale bread, torn into chunks
1 cup (about 1/4 pound) grated or chunked cheese, such as Gruyère, Emmenthal, aged cheddar, or a combination
2–4 garlic cloves, crushed or chopped
4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 tsp. fresh thyme (optional)
1/3 cup (ish) half & half or whipping cream
pinch of freshly grated nutmeg

1

Preheat the oven to 350F. Slice the top off the sugar pumpkin, like you would if you were carving a Jack-o-lantern, and scoop out the seeds. Drizzle the inside with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Put it on a parchment or foil-lined baking sheet and put it into the oven while you prepare the stuffing.

2

In a bowl, toss the bread, cheese, garlic, bacon, thyme, half & half, some salt and pepper and a pinch of nutmeg. Remove the pumpkin from the oven (if you put it in) and stuff the bread mixture into it, letting it overflow a bit, drizzling any cream in the bottom of the bowl over top. Put the lid on and put the pumpkin back into the oven for about an hour.

3

Remove the lid and bake for another half hour, until the pumpkin is soft and slumped over, and the top is golden and crispy. To serve, scoop out the soft pumpkin with the filling.

Ingredients

 1 sugar pumpkin, about 2-3 pounds
 canola or olive oil
 salt and pepper
 3-4 slices (about 1/4 pound) stale bread, torn into chunks
 1 cup (about 1/4 pound) grated or chunked cheese, such as Gruyère, Emmenthal, aged cheddar, or a combination
 2–4 garlic cloves, crushed or chopped
 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
 1 tsp. fresh thyme (optional)
 1/3 cup (ish) half & half or whipping cream
 pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
Roasted Pumpkin Filled with Everything Good
Share

About Julie

You May Also Like

56 comments on “Roasted Pumpkin Filled with Everything Good

  1. sara
    October 26, 2012 at 11:33 pm

    This looks great! We got a pumpkin in our CSA this week and I was at a loss as to what to do with it – this looks like a great option!

  2. Kathy
    October 27, 2012 at 9:03 am

    That sounds and looks terrific. No you aren’t the only one that dislikes pumpkin pie – hubby’s not a fan either.

  3. christine
    October 27, 2012 at 10:55 am

    I love the way you write. I always feel like I’m right there with you. I wanted you to know that I sent your beans cookbook to my son’s girlfriend in Ontario last year. I am in the “getting to know you” phase and like her so very much. She uses the cookbook at least a few times a week and it is the go-to birthday or house warming gift for all her friends. So Jacques and Dorie make bee lines for you and so would lots of other less famous fans! Can’t wait to try this recipe, I am enjoying your non-meat recipes lately. Have a great snowy weekend!

  4. Joanne
    October 27, 2012 at 12:21 pm

    I did a stuffed pumpkin for Thanksgiving–filled it with a wild rice/brown rice mixture that worked.

  5. Mardi (eat. live. travel. write.)
    October 27, 2012 at 6:06 pm

    This is one of my fave recipes from the over 100 that I have cooked/ baked. It’s on the menu for Hallowe’en evening this year I think

  6. Brittany
    October 27, 2012 at 7:30 pm

    I mean this with the utmost respect-who cares about the pumpkin?! The part about Dorie and Jacques gave me heart palpitations!

  7. Jenni Lynn
    October 28, 2012 at 3:43 pm

    You have no idea how pleased I am to learn that there is someone else in this world who does not like pumpkin pie! Never have. As for all other things pumpkin – chili, bread, lattes, scones, pasta, etc. – love em!

  8. Carolyn
    October 28, 2012 at 7:08 pm

    I made this last night… so yummy!

  9. Renee
    October 28, 2012 at 7:26 pm

    I was just looking at my little pumpkin, thinking to cook it or carve it. Now I know the answer. Thanks Julie!

  10. Jan
    October 28, 2012 at 7:57 pm

    This is one of my favourite cookbooks, yet I’ve never thought to make this recipe. I think it’s time to change that!

  11. akajb
    October 28, 2012 at 8:58 pm

    Do you think this would work fine with any squash? I’m not a huge fan of pumpkin (pie or not). I have an acorn squash in my fridge right now…

  12. Fiona
    October 29, 2012 at 8:38 am

    I don’t like pumpkin pie, either. I knew there was a reason I liked you!

  13. Jennifer
    October 29, 2012 at 4:12 pm

    Pumpkin pie is number 2 on my list of most hated foods! Glad to see there are others out there that dislike it as well, and surely feel my pain on Thanksgiving and Chrismtas…”what do you mean you don’t like pumpkin pie”!!

  14. molly
    October 29, 2012 at 8:05 pm

    ohhhhhhhh, yes.

    SO making this.

    i needed this reminder. thank you, thank you….

    m

  15. Laurie from Burnaby
    October 29, 2012 at 8:59 pm

    I don’t really like pumpkin pie, either. But a stuffed backed pumpkin I could definitely get used to! 🙂 Thank you

  16. Dan @ Dan's Good Side
    October 30, 2012 at 11:38 am

    Jesus! That looks so damn good. Maybe I’ll roast one of these guys in SFS class tonight!

  17. Julia Murray
    November 1, 2012 at 12:05 pm

    Hi Julie,
    this recipe sounds (and looks) fantastic! I definitely will have to make this as well!
    I just moved to Calgary (well, actually Okotoks) from Berlin, Germany, and am now checking out the Calgary food(-writer) scene.
    Your’s was the first blog i found, and what can I say? I’m a fan.

    best wishes,

    Julia

  18. secrets of superman stamina pdf free
    May 22, 2013 at 5:39 am

    To call them the most powerful heroes depends on what “power” you’re talking about. Superman holds again his strength, correct, but there is a finite limit to it. The Hulk has no limit to his strength. There are no stronger heroes in the either universe. They’re both nearly invulnerable,
    but Superman might be hurt, as evidenced by Doomsday.
    And regardles of whether or not he held back, he was still injured.
    The hulk might be injured also. The difference, and this
    can be a HUGE difference , is the fact that the hulk Often will get up
    stronger. He heals infinitely faster than Superman.
    Towards the raging Hulk, Superman would
    have a significantly far better possibility by out smarting him.
    The WW Hulk has not this kind of weakness. He’s continually pissed off and hell-bent on revenge. Superman would hold his own for any although, no doubt, but the heat vision and cold breath would be moot. The tremendous speed is only likely to have him so far. At some point, the hulk’s strength with greatly supercede the strength of the
    Man of Steel, and then it really is only a matter of 1 hit.
    The hulk’s invulnerability, intellect and every thing else only improves the far more angry he becomes. Superman fatigues, period. That is certainly where the edge is, and which is why I consider after a long battle, maybe days, months or even several years, the Hulk would win. Not that there would be an entire lot of earth left to see it afterwards. That and Superman’s conscience would contribute to his downfall.

    My blog: secrets of superman stamina pdf free

  19. V
    June 17, 2013 at 12:07 pm

    Why is this in the vegetarian section? It calls for bacon.

    • Julie
      June 18, 2013 at 6:38 am

      V – you’re right! I must have classified it because the bacon is optional – it can be easily made vegetarian. Does that help?

      • Dana DeMerritt
        December 5, 2025 at 5:03 pm

        Hello, Julie. Were you interviewed on PBS about the French cookbook around 2005, or so?

        Anyway, I began making this – first effort turned out perfectly and I shared it with my coworkers, must’ve been around Thanksgiving. My next attempts went well.
        THIS year was different, however … Not enough cream nor cheese are my guesses. Bummer. Still eating it, adding cheese prior to heating.
        I also got my best friend hooked on it, and she has now cooked it for more occasions than I, and she has tweaked the recipe…loved that as well!

        Thank you ~. Dana

  20. Vanessa
    November 3, 2015 at 7:17 am

    We have made this recipe a fall tradition at my house! Thank you so much. We love it!

  21. Brit
    November 3, 2015 at 9:09 pm

    Made this tonight, YUM! My 4 kids loved it too 🙂

  22. This website really has all of the low-down and facts I needed to this thesis and didn’t identify who to ask.

  23. does flagyl treat ureaplasma
    June 11, 2025 at 3:18 pm

    Thanks on sharing. It’s first quality.

  24. zeo01
    June 13, 2025 at 6:09 am

    order generic azithromycin 250mg – buy ciplox 500mg online cheap purchase metronidazole pill

  25. 68xcj
    June 14, 2025 at 6:24 pm

    order semaglutide sale – buy periactin generic buy periactin 4mg online cheap

  26. 213my
    June 16, 2025 at 5:12 pm

    buy motilium medication – buy tetracycline generic cyclobenzaprine canada

  27. tk6qc
    June 25, 2025 at 9:11 pm

    amoxiclav canada – atbioinfo.com purchase ampicillin generic

  28. 5pnzn
    June 27, 2025 at 12:33 pm

    nexium 40mg oral – anexamate buy cheap generic nexium

  29. 1l7r9
    June 28, 2025 at 10:02 pm

    warfarin 5mg for sale – cou mamide order cozaar sale

  30. u7tvh
    June 30, 2025 at 7:49 pm

    meloxicam 15mg price – relieve pain order meloxicam 7.5mg without prescription

  31. lpw3e
    July 2, 2025 at 3:03 pm

    prednisone 5mg ca – https://apreplson.com/ deltasone 40mg sale

  32. 8reqh
    July 3, 2025 at 6:53 pm

    buy erectile dysfunction pills – site how to buy ed pills

  33. ofysh
    July 5, 2025 at 3:06 am

    cheap amoxil – https://combamoxi.com/ purchase amoxil online

  34. 7smdp
    July 9, 2025 at 10:39 am

    fluconazole uk – https://gpdifluca.com/ forcan oral

  35. b41g9
    July 10, 2025 at 11:59 pm

    order cenforce 50mg – https://cenforcers.com/# oral cenforce

  36. vm3np
    July 12, 2025 at 10:22 am

    how many mg of cialis should i take – cialis generic best price that accepts mastercard buy cheapest cialis

  37. tlrv8
    July 13, 2025 at 10:11 pm

    generic tadalafil in us – mambo 36 tadalafil 20 mg does cialis make you harder

  38. Connievem
    July 15, 2025 at 1:53 pm

    buy generic zantac – https://aranitidine.com/ ranitidine usa

  39. lwfhd
    July 16, 2025 at 3:35 am

    viagra 100 mg prices – sildenafil 50mg cost buy viagra online legit

  40. sh322
    July 18, 2025 at 1:50 am

    I’ll certainly return to review more. https://buyfastonl.com/gabapentin.html

  41. Connievem
    July 18, 2025 at 10:00 am

    More articles like this would remedy the blogosphere richer. cenforce 100 prospecto

  42. Connievem
    July 20, 2025 at 5:10 pm

    More articles like this would make the blogosphere richer. https://ursxdol.com/synthroid-available-online/

  43. 0tjdb
    July 21, 2025 at 4:28 am

    Facts blog you have here.. It’s obdurate to on great calibre belles-lettres like yours these days. I truly comprehend individuals like you! Rent care!! https://prohnrg.com/product/omeprazole-20-mg/

  44. qbcw8
    July 23, 2025 at 8:25 pm

    More posts like this would add up to the online time more useful. https://aranitidine.com/fr/acheter-propecia-en-ligne/

  45. Connievem
    August 5, 2025 at 8:16 pm

    This is the tolerant of delivery I unearth helpful. https://ondactone.com/product/domperidone/

  46. Connievem
    August 8, 2025 at 7:45 pm

    Thanks for putting this up. It’s well done.
    buy ranitidine generic

  47. Connievem
    August 17, 2025 at 7:09 pm

    This is the stripe of content I enjoy reading. https://lzdsxxb.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=5065804

  48. Connievem
    August 22, 2025 at 11:56 am

    brand forxiga 10 mg – https://janozin.com/# buy generic forxiga over the counter

  49. Connievem
    August 25, 2025 at 12:28 pm

    orlistat over the counter – https://asacostat.com/# orlistat ca

  50. Connievem
    August 31, 2025 at 10:27 pm

    This is the big-hearted of writing I positively appreciate. http://pokemonforever.com/User-Vwpcrb

  51. NszfHault
    October 8, 2025 at 12:04 am

    You can protect yourself and your family by way of being cautious when buying panacea online. Some pharmaceutics websites function legally and offer convenience, privacy, cost savings and safeguards as a replacement for purchasing medicines. buy in TerbinaPharmacy https://terbinafines.com/product/prednisone.html prednisone

  52. 64o8y
    October 9, 2025 at 8:06 pm

    Thanks for putting this up. It’s well done. generique stromectol

  53. big bass christmas
    October 11, 2025 at 10:08 pm

    Thanks on sharing. It’s outstrip quality.

  54. Yxglui
    February 9, 2026 at 4:28 am

    online casino with real money
    casino gambling games
    best casinos in the us

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.