BEEF STEW IN A PUMPKIN

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Beef Stew in a Pumpkin image

I only made this once last year, but you should have heard the ooohs and ahhs when I brought it to the table.

Provided by Mirj2338

Categories     Stew

Time 2h15m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 24

1 (12 lb) plump, very fresh pumpkin (with a wide, steady base)
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 lbs beef, cut in 1" cubes
2 tablespoons brandy
1 cup coarsely chopped green onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
3 cloves minced garlic
3 cups beef stock
1 cup madeira wine or 1 cup dry sherry
3 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 lbs white potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2" cubes
1 1/2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2" cubes
1/2 lb zucchini, slices about 1/4" thick
1 cup corn
12 -14 dried apricots
12 -14 pitted prunes
1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons cinnamon
1 pinch ground cloves

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.

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