Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Pasta with Pumpkin and Speck: A Warm Sicilian Hug for Autumn
Discover this creamy, aromatic Sicilian-style pasta featuring seasonal pumpkin and local cheese – a comforting taste of autumn.
📖 What is it
Discover this creamy, aromatic Sicilian-style pasta featuring seasonal pumpkin and local cheese – a comforting taste of autumn.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 350g caserecce or another short Sicilian pasta
- ✓ 250g peeled Sicilian pumpkin
- ✓ 150g speck, diced
- ✓ Half a red onion from Giarratana
- ✓ 4 sprigs of fresh thyme
- ✓ Extra virgin olive oil, as needed
- ✓ Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ✓ 40g grated Sicilian pecorino
- ✓ 50ml pasta cooking water or vegetable stock
📊 Nutritional Information
Picture yourself surrounded by the cosy scents of Sicilian autumn, with golden pumpkins lining the streets and the air fragrant with fresh herbs. This pasta combines the gentle sweetness of pumpkin with the bold character of speck, creating a hearty dish that’s steeped in tradition and perfect for brightening up your evenings with a touch of Sicily.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Cut the pumpkin into roughly 1cm cubes and finely chop the onion.
- 2
Warm a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan, add the onion and thyme, and gently sweat until soft.
- 3
Add the pumpkin and cook over medium heat for 10–15 minutes, adding a splash of water or stock to soften it.
- 4
Season with salt and pepper, then lightly mash the pumpkin to create a creamy texture.
- 5
In another pan, fry the speck without oil until it’s crisp, then stir it into the pumpkin mixture.
- 6
Cook the pasta in plenty of salted boiling water, then drain until al dente.
- 7
Toss the pasta through the pumpkin and speck sauce, adding a bit of the cooking water to bring everything together.
- 8
Finish with the grated pecorino and a sprinkle of black pepper.
💡 Tips and Variations
- •
For an extra special touch, choose a top-quality speck and swap the short pasta for tortiglioni or busiate to really catch that luscious pumpkin sauce.
- •
To deepen the creaminess, stir in a spoonful of fresh Sicilian ricotta at the end, or a drizzle of plant-based cream for a lighter but still indulgent finish.
- •
If you prefer robust herbs, swap the thyme for fresh rosemary or sage leaves to add an earthy, slightly peppery note.
- •
For a vegetarian alternative, leave out the speck and add some chopped walnuts for crunch and rustic flavour without losing depth.
- •
Boost the umami by sprinkling in some nutritional yeast flakes alongside the pecorino – it enhances the richness without changing the essence of the dish.
- •
If you need gluten-free, pick a quality gluten-free pasta brand. For a vegan version, replace the cheese with a cashew cream infused with herbs and use aromatic extra virgin olive oil.
- •
The key to this dish is a gentle sauté and slow cooking of the pumpkin, just as Sicilian tradition dictates.
📦 Storage
- • Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within two days to preserve freshness and flavour balance.
- • Reheat gently in a non-stick pan with a splash of olive oil or a few spoons of warm water to keep the pumpkin sauce creamy and avoid drying out.
- • Avoid freezing this dish since pumpkin tends to lose its texture and the pasta doesn’t fare well once thawed.
🍷 Pairing
Pair this autumnal delight with a Sicilian white like Grillo, which offers freshness and fruity notes to balance the pumpkin’s sweetness. Alternatively, a soft, slightly rounded Isola Chardonnay brings out the creamy richness beautifully. If you want to try something different, a good Ligurian Vermentino or a Tuscan Sauvignon blanc can provide an elegant and interesting match.
Give this heartwarming Sicilian pasta a go at home – it’s a genuine hug in a bowl, perfect for sharing with loved ones on crisp autumn evenings. Its lovely balance of sweet pumpkin and savoury speck makes it a dish that’s both comforting and a little bit special. Do pop it on your table soon, and perhaps let a friend or two join you for a proper taste of Sicily’s soul.
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