Roasted Pumpkin
A simple and delicious air fryer roasted pumpkin recipe infused with garlic, loved even by picky family members.
Story
My family absolutely loves pumpkin. We usually buy a whole large one at a time and try every method imaginable, from steaming and making porridge to baking cakes and bread. Recently, it occurred to me that I hadn't tried roasting it yet. I cut a small piece from a fresh pumpkin to test, and to my surprise, the taste was amazing! Even my mother-in-law loved it, which is saying something since it isn't always easy for older generations to accept new ways of cooking. The best part is how incredibly simple it is: just toss the pumpkin with seasonings, put it in the air fryer, and let it cook. I added some garlic cloves, which infused the pumpkin with a lovely aroma and turned into a delicious roasted treat on their own.
Ingredients
Pumpkin
500g
Garlic
1 head
Salt
to taste
Black pepper
to taste
Olive oil
to taste
Potato
Instructions
1
Step 1
Cut a piece of pumpkin; make sure to choose a deep-colored one, as these pumpkins are sweet and have a soft, floury texture.
2
Step 2
Wash after peeling and removing the seeds.
3
Step 3
Cut into small pieces.
4
Step 4
Place in a small basin along with washed, unpeeled garlic cloves, and add salt, black pepper, and a small amount of olive oil.
5
Step 5
Line the air fryer basket with a piece of baking parchment paper (you can omit this if you don't have any, but you'll need to wash the basket afterwards; I added a sheet to avoid washing the basket). Pour the mixed pumpkin and garlic cloves in and spread them out evenly.
6
Step 6
Air fry at 200 degrees for about 20 minutes (the exact time depends on the size of the pumpkin chunks; you can pull out the basket midway to check the doneness and adjust the time).
7
Step 7
It's done roasting, and it smells great!
8
Step 8
Take them out and place them in a small bowl, and you can start eating! The roasted pumpkin is fluffy; it carries a savory hint amidst its sweetness without being greasy. It has a different flavor from steamed or boiled pumpkin. The garlic inside adds a touch of garlic aroma. The roasted garlic, once peeled, is browned, soft, fragrant, and not spicy at all, which is also very delicious—my little girl ate quite a lot plain!
9
Step 9
With nothing to do on the weekend and tired of roasted sweet potatoes and potatoes, let's make some roasted pumpkin! As for the benefits of pumpkin, there are too many introductions online, so I won't list them here; if you're interested, check them out. Whole grains are healthy, and this is an excellent ingredient recommended by many nutritionists! If you like pumpkin, other than steaming and boiling, you can also try this good method!
Main Dish
Air-Dried Sichuan Peppercorn Duck
Duck legs cured with crushed green Sichuan peppercorns, salt, and baijiu, then hung to air-dry and later steamed. The green peppercorns matter more than regular red ones—their numbing aroma sinks deeper into the meat. A high-proof Chinese liquor works best for the cure.
