Preheat the oven to 200°C (fan). Thoroughly wash the Hokkaido pumpkin. Place it on a stable cutting board and cut it in half with a sharp, large knife. Use a metal spoon to scoop out the seeds and fibrous flesh from the inside. Then, cut the pumpkin halves into cubes with a side of about 2 cm. You don't need to peel the skin; it will be soft and edible after baking.
Description
This dish is the essence of autumn on a plate. A velvety, slightly sweet puree of roasted Hokkaido pumpkin combines with an aromatic, buttery sage sauce, creating a comforting base for ribbons of tagliatelle pasta. Each bite is a perfect balance of flavors: the sweetness of the pumpkin, the earthy aroma of sage, the salty crunch of Italian pancetta, and the deep, nutty aftertaste of Parmesan. The dish comes from the tradition of Northern Italy, where pumpkin (zucca) is a valued ingredient in pasta and risotto dishes. It is not only incredibly delicious but also beautifully presented on the plate thanks to the contrasting colors – the intense orange of the pumpkin, the green of the sage, and the pink of the pancetta. Serve it as an exquisite main course for an autumn dinner or a hearty, comforting lunch on a chilly day.
Składniki (13)
- Tagliatelle pasta 400 g
- Hokkaido pumpkin 800 g
- Pancetta 150 g
- Parmesan 80 g
- Fresh sage 0.7 pęczek
- Garlic 3 ząbki
- Butter 30 g
- Extra virgin olive oil 0.2 łyżek
- Sea salt 5 g
- 🌿 Przyprawy
- Pieprz czarny świeżo mielony 2 szczypty
- Salt for cooking pasta 1 łyżka
- ✨ Opcjonalne
- Walnuts 50 g
- Chili flakes 1 szczypta
💡 Kliknij na składnik aby oznaczyć jako użyty
Preparation steps
Preparing the pumpkin
Transfer the chopped pumpkin to a large bowl. Drizzle it with 3 tablespoons of olive oil, season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Mix thoroughly with your hands, ensuring each piece of pumpkin is coated with a thin layer of oil and seasoning. Spread the pumpkin evenly in a single layer on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the pumpkin is tender and slightly caramelized at the edges. You can check for doneness by piercing a piece with a fork - it should go in easily.
Preparing the sauce
While the pumpkin is baking, prepare the rest of the ingredients. Cut the pancetta into small cubes or strips. Place it in a large, cold skillet and set it to medium heat. Slowly render the fat, stirring occasionally, until the pancetta becomes golden and crispy. This will take about 8-10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked pancetta to a plate lined with paper towels, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet.
In a pan with the fat from the pancetta, add butter. Once it melts, toss in the sage leaves. Fry over medium heat for 1-2 minutes, until the leaves become darker and crispy. Be careful not to burn them. Remove a few of the prettiest leaves for decoration, and leave the rest in the pan. The butter will take on a wonderful sage aroma.
Peel and finely chop the garlic or press it through a garlic press. Reduce the heat under the pan, add the garlic to the buttery sage sauce, and sauté for about 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly, just until it releases its aroma. Do not allow the garlic to brown, as it will become bitter.
Cooking the pasta and combining the dish
In a large pot (minimum 4-5 liters), bring a large amount of water to a boil. When the water starts to boil, add a generous tablespoon of salt. Toss in the tagliatelle and cook according to the package instructions, but for 1-2 minutes less, so it is 'al dente' (slightly firm in the center). Before draining the pasta, reserve about 1-2 cups of the cooking water. This is essential for creating a creamy sauce.
When the pasta is cooking, add the roasted pumpkin to the pan with the sage sauce. Using a fork or a potato masher, mash about half of the pumpkin pieces into a smooth mixture, leaving the rest whole. This will give the sauce both a creamy base and noticeable pieces of vegetables.
Pour about half a cup (125 ml) of the reserved pasta cooking water into the pumpkin in the pan. Stir vigorously until the water combines with the fat and mashed pumpkin, creating an emulsion – a smooth, creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more water.
Drain the pasta and transfer it directly to the pan with the pumpkin sauce. Add most of the crispy pancetta (save some for garnish) and half of the grated Parmesan. If you are using nuts, chop them coarsely and add them to the pan as well. Gently but thoroughly mix everything, tossing in the pan for about a minute to allow the pasta to absorb the sauce. If needed, add more pasta cooking water to achieve the desired creamy consistency.
Taste the dish and season with salt and pepper if needed. Immediately divide the portions onto deep plates. Sprinkle each portion with the remaining crispy pancetta, grated Parmesan, and garnish with the reserved crispy sage leaves. Serve right away while hot.
Fun Fact
In the Lombardy region of Italy, especially in the city of Mantua, 'tortelli di zucca' – dumplings filled with pumpkin, amaretti cookies, and fruit mustard (mostarda) – are extremely popular. This shows how deeply rooted the combination of sweet pumpkin and pasta is in Italian cuisine.
Best for
Tips
Serve in deep, warmed pasta plates. Before serving, you can drizzle each portion with a bit of high-quality olive oil for extra aroma. The dish pairs perfectly with a light, crisp white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Soave.
Pasta tastes best right after preparation. If there are leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in a pan with a little water or milk to restore the creamy consistency of the sauce. Keep in mind that the pancetta and sage will lose their crispness.
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