How to Garnish With Pumpkins

Do more with your pumpkin than just carve it.

A garnish is that little something extra that tops off an entree, appetizer, soup or dessert that makes the dish beautiful. A garnish can turn a functional meal into a work of art. If you enjoy cooking and view an empty plate as your canvas, liven up your culinary creations around the fall holidays with a pumpkin garnish. Grated pumpkin, parsley and even pumpkin seeds can be formed into simple, elegant and artful garnishes that add a little magic to your meals.

Things You'll Need

• 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
• 1/4 cup parsley
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 3 tbsp. olive or pumpkin seed oil
• 1 small to medium sized pumpkin
• Wooden spoon
• Medium skillet
• Cutting board
• Paring knife

Instructions

1. If you're already preparing fresh pumpkin pie, it's easy to create a simple garnish that you can sprinkle atop soups or entrees for a little added flavor and beauty. Prepare your pumpkin as needed for your pie recipe or if only using the pumpkin for the garnish, cut the top off the pumpkin as you would if you were preparing it for carving into a jack-o-lantern.

2. Scoop out the pumpkin seeds and soak them in a bowl of cool, fresh water. Strain the seeds into a colander and run clear water over them in the sink until all pumpkin flesh has been separated from the seeds. Lay seeds out on paper towels to dry.

3. Toast 1/2 cup of pumpkin seeds in a dry skillet, heated over medium heat. Stir seeds continually with a wooden spoon. Remove from heat after three to five minutes.

4. Place pumpkin seeds on a cutting board and use a sharp paring knife to chop the seeds into fine pieces. Mix chopped seeds with two cloves of fresh, diced garlic, 1/4 cup chopped parsley, 1/4 tsp. salt and 3 tbsp. of olive or pumpkin seed oil in a small bowl until thoroughly mixed together. Sprinkle garnish atop soup, chicken, fish or turkey for a tangy flavorful addition to your meal.

Tips & Warnings

• Cut a chunk out of unused pumpkin remains and grate the fleshly inside until you get about 1 cup of thin, pumpkin sticks. Pair with fresh parsley twigs and arrange atop chicken breast or salmon steaks for an alternate, simple garnish.

References

• Cookus Interruptus: Pumpkin Seed Parsley Garnish
• Pumpkin Patches and More: How to Carve a Halloween Jack o' Lantern