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Ground Turkey Stuffed Mini Pumpkins

Close-up of a small, round pumpkin stuffed with a savory ground turkey mixture, topped with walnuts and herbs.
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Savory ground turkey and a nutty brown-butter sage filling baked inside tender mini pumpkins, perfect for a cozy fall dinner or holiday entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 small pumpkins (about 1 lb each)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh sage
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cut the tops off the pumpkins and scoop out the seeds and stringy insides.
  3. Brush the insides of the pumpkins with a little olive oil and place them cut-side down on a baking sheet. Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until slightly tender.
  4. While the pumpkins bake, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
  5. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute more. Remove from heat.
  6. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter turns golden brown and smells nutty. Stir in the fresh sage and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  7. In a bowl, combine the cooked ground turkey mixture, brown butter sage mixture, chopped nuts, breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
  8. Turn the pumpkins cut-side up. Spoon the turkey mixture evenly into each pumpkin.
  9. Place the stuffed pumpkins on a baking sheet and bake for another 20-25 minutes, or until the pumpkins are fully tender and the filling is heated through.
  10. Serve hot.

Notes

  • You can substitute acorn squash for the mini pumpkins.
  • For a make-ahead option, prepare the filling and hollow out the pumpkins a day in advance. Store them separately in the refrigerator. Stuff and bake just before serving.
  • Add other vegetables like chopped celery or bell peppers to the turkey mixture for extra flavor and texture.
  • Consider this recipe as part of your meal planning for a festive holiday gathering.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delicerecipe.com/ground-turkey-stuffed-pumpkins/