Pumpkin Stew

Total Time

Prep: 2-1/2 hours Bake: 2 hours

Makes

10 servings

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023
This special stew is the meal our two kids look forward to each fall because we only get to enjoy it when the fresh pumpkins come out of the garden. The stew is cooked and served right in the pumpkin shell. A true taste of autumn, it also makes a pretty presentation at a potluck. —Donna Mosher, Augusta, Montana

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 3 tablespoons canola oil, divided
  • 1 cup water
  • 3 large potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 4 medium carrots, sliced
  • 1 large green pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons beef bouillon granules
  • 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 pumpkin (10 to 12 pounds)

Directions

  1. In a Dutch oven, brown meat in 2 tablespoons oil. Add water, potatoes, carrots, green pepper, garlic, onion, salt and pepper. Cover and simmer for 2 hours. Stir in bouillon and tomatoes. Wash pumpkin; cut a 6 to 8 in. circle around top stem. Remove top and set aside; discard seeds and loosen fibers from inside.
  2. Place pumpkin in a shallow sturdy baking pan. Spoon stew into pumpkin and replace top. Brush outside of pumpkin with remaining oil. Bake at 325° for 2 hours or just until the pumpkin is tender (do not overbake). Serve stew from pumpkin, scooping out a little pumpkin with each serving.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 324 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 1070mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 4g fiber), 23g protein.