Sugar Pumpkin

Know this

Carving pumpkins are bred for size and a hollow cavity, so the flesh is watery, stringy and bland. A sugar or pie pumpkin is a fraction of the size, dense and genuinely sweet. They are not interchangeable and the bin at the farm stand rarely says which is which. Chef secret: if you can lift it with one hand, you are probably holding the right one.

Cook

Halve, seed, roast cut side down at 400F until a knife slides in. Never boil it, you are adding water to something that already has too much.

Season

September through November.

Best pairings

Brown butter · Sage · Maple · Chili · Coconut milk · Parmesan

Also worth trying: nutmeg, ginger, bourbon, pepita, cream, shallot, cinnamon, miso.

Recommended wine