Stew or ketchup - your choice

Delicious Recipe for Vegetable Stew or Pumpkin Ketchup

Total preparation time: 2 hours
Cooking time: 1 hour
Number of servings: 8-10

Today, I present you with a versatile and flavorful recipe that can be tailored to your tastes – a savory vegetable stew or a fragrant ketchup, perfect for use in various dishes. This recipe is ideal for taking advantage of seasonal vegetables and the sweet taste of pumpkin, transforming them into an unforgettable delicacy.

A Brief History of the Recipe

Stew is a traditional recipe, beloved in many cultures, that involves combining fresh vegetables into a tasty and healthy dish. The use of pumpkin in this preparation is not coincidental, as it adds not only a delicate texture but also a sweet flavor that enriches the taste of the food. Ketchup, on the other hand, has evolved from simple fruit sauces to a complex condiment widely used in global cuisine.

Necessary Ingredients

To prepare this pumpkin stew or ketchup, you will need the following ingredients:

- 1 French pumpkin (approximately 2 kg, with red skin)
- 4 kg of ripe tomatoes
- 7 large onions
- 7 peppers (preferably of different colors)
- A few hot peppers (optional, for a spicy taste)
- 2 large celery roots
- 1 kg of ripe plums
- 1 head of garlic
- A few apples
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
- Cinnamon (1-2 teaspoons, for an extra flavor)
- Curry (1-2 teaspoons, optional)
- Ground cumin (1 teaspoon)
- Soy sauce (3-4 tablespoons, for ketchup)
- 1 cup of balsamic vinegar (for ketchup)
- 1 glass of wine vinegar (for ketchup)
- Sugar, honey, or another sweetener (to preference)

Step by Step for a Perfect Vegetable Stew or Pumpkin Ketchup

1. Preparing the Ingredients: Start by cleaning and chopping all the vegetables. Cut the pumpkin into cubes, the tomatoes into large pieces, and the onion, celery, and peppers into strips or small cubes. The plums can be halved, and the apples, if you choose to add them, can be grated or chopped.

2. Cooking the Vegetables: Take a large 8-liter pot that can be used on the stove as well as in the oven. Place the cut pumpkin in the pot and add a cup of water. Put the pot on medium heat.

3. Adding the Vegetables: Once the pumpkin starts to boil, add the tomatoes, celery, onion, and the other vegetables. Add salt to taste. Cover the pot with aluminum foil and move it to the preheated oven at 180°C. Let it bake for about an hour without stirring.

4. Checking the Cooking Stage: After an hour, check if the vegetables are well cooked. If the pumpkin and the other vegetables are soft, it’s time to add the spices: pepper, cinnamon, curry, and cumin. Gently stir to distribute the flavors. Taste and adjust the salt and spices to your preference.

5. Preparing the Ketchup: If you opt for ketchup, add the balsamic vinegar, wine vinegar, and soy sauce now. If the vegetables are well cooked, blend everything with a blender to achieve a smooth consistency. You can adjust the thickness of the ketchup by adding tomato paste if necessary.

6. Sweetening the Ketchup: Taste the ketchup and, if needed, add sugar, honey, or another sweetener to achieve the perfect balance between sweet and sour.

7. Bottling: Pour the mixture into clean juice bottles, ensuring no air bubbles remain. Wrap the bottles in blankets and let them cool for 24 hours. The next day, you can put them back in the oven for 30 minutes at 180°C to ensure good preservation.

Serving and Variations of the Recipe

This recipe is extremely versatile. You can serve the stew as a main dish alongside a portion of rice or fresh bread. The ketchup can be used as a sauce for steaks, burgers, or even as a dressing for salads.

If you enjoy spicy food, feel free to add more hot peppers or spicy seasonings. You can also experiment with other types of vegetables, such as carrots or zucchini, and replace the plums with apples or peaches for a different flavor.

Nutritional Benefits

This recipe is not only delicious but also healthy. Pumpkin is rich in vitamins A and C, while tomatoes contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. Fresh vegetables are an excellent source of fiber, and plums add natural sweetness and are rich in antioxidants.

Estimated calories per serving: approximately 150 calories (for the stew), while the ketchup may vary depending on the sweeteners used, but is generally lower in calories than commercial sauces.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use frozen vegetables? Yes, you can use frozen vegetables, but the taste and texture will be different. Make sure to thaw and drain them well before use.

2. How can I preserve the ketchup for a longer period? Ensure the bottles are sterilized and airtight, and the ketchup is hot when poured into the bottles. You can store it in a cool, dark place.

3. Is this recipe vegan? Yes, the recipe is completely vegan, with no animal-derived ingredients.

I invite you to try this pumpkin stew or ketchup recipe, experiment with flavors, and create your unique dish. You will bring joy and wonderful flavors to your plates, and your loved ones will surely appreciate your effort! Enjoy!