BEEF STEW IN A PUMPKIN

Steps:

• Scrub pumpkin well.
• Heat 3 tablespoons oil in 5 quart casserole over medium heat.
• Add beef in batches to brown on all sides.
• Warm brandy, ignite and pour over beef.
• Transfer meat to platter and set aside.
• In same casserole pot, combine oil, onion, green pepper and garlic, cooking over medium heat about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Add stock and madeira and bring to boil.
• Scrape sides and return meat and juices to pot.
• Stir in tomatoes, salt, oregano, pepper, bay leaf, and cloves.
• Cover, reduce heat to low and cook 15 minutes.
• Add potatoes and cook 15 minutes more.
• Stir in zucchini and cook 10 minutes more.
• Add corn, apricots and prunes and cook another 5 minutes.
• Keep stew warm on low heat while preparing pumpkin.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Cut pumpkin about 3 or 4 inches from top to form a lid and do not remove stem!
• Scrape out seeds and string fibers from lid and base.
• Brush melted margarine inside pumpkin and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.
• Replace lid and bake pumpkin in roasting pan about 40 minutes.
• Pour juices from pumpkin into stew and stir well.
• Place stew into pumpkin and bake about 15 minutes longer.