Whole Pumpkin Cheese Fondue Food

PUMPKIN CHEESE FONDUE

Steps:

• Cut a slice off the top of the pumpkin and scoop out seed.
• Use to make Spicy Roasted Butternut (the butternut seeds can be replaced with the pumpkin) Seeds recipe #50958 or your favorite recipe.
• Brush the inside of the pumpkin with melted butter season with nutmeg and cinnamon place on cookie sheet with tops on and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile heat the oil in a pan saute scallions and garlic for 2 minutes add wine or sherry, and cornstarch paste heat and then add the cheeses to the simmering wine, stir in a zig zag rather than circular motion to help break up the cheese.
• Season with salt, pepper, nutmeg and cinnamon.
• Heat gently stirring till melted and combined. If to thick can add some water or chicken broth to thin.
• Pour into the baked hot pumpkin sprinkle with paprika and serve with apple, pears, celery, peppers, cubes of crusty bread cooked shrimp, cooked chicken, and or cooked potato skins .
• Instead of making the paste you can also dust the cheese cubes with the cornstarch then add to the warmed wine.

BAKED PUMPKIN FONDUE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Start to prepare your pumpkin as you would for carving: cut off a 'lid' and scoop out all the seeds and membranes. Put the lid back on and sit the whole pumpkin on a sturdy baking tray. Bake following our size guide (see 'Tip', below left).
• Mix the grated cheeses with the cornflour until completely coated and no excess flour remains. Remove the pumpkin from the oven, discard the lid (or scrape off the roasted flesh and save for the Squidgy pumpkin & ginger loaf, see 'Goes well with') and increase the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Layer up the cheese, crème fraîche, white wine, shallot and garlic inside the pumpkin. Lift back into the oven and bake for 30 mins or until the fondue is melted and bubbling. Eat with spoons, scooping out chunks of soft, roasted pumpkin with the melted cheese.

WHOLE PUMPKIN CHEESE FONDUE

Steps:

• Wash outside of pumpkin, cut off top to make a lid, remove all seeds and membranes. Oil outside of pumpkin.
• Cut loaf of bread into squares and lightly toast.
• Layer bread and grated cheese inside pumpkin, press down. Pour on cream mixed with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Replace pumpkin lid and place pumpkin in a shallow dish.
• Bake at 200 degrees for 1 1/2 hours. Test flesh to see that the pumpkin is is tender.
• Serve with crusty bread and have guests scoop out the cheese and pumpkin mix.