Ingredients

Pasta Ingredients

  • 1 whole pumpkin
  • 2 bunches swiss chard (washed & stemmed)
  • 2 tbsp coconut ribbons or flakes
  • 16 oz dry penne pasta (whole wheat)
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon

Pumpkin Sauce Recipe

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic (peeled & minced)
  • 1 medium white onion (peeled & diced)
  • 2 cups pumpkin (roasted & puree)
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1 15oz can tomato sauce
  • 2 tsp liquid honey
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 cup coconut cream
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp fresh rosemary (chopped)
  • 1 tbsp fresh sage (chopped)
  • 1 tbsp fresh sage (fried – optional for garnish)
  • 1 tsp cracked black pepper

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Preparation/Method

Pasta prep instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Cut pumpkin in half, scoop out the inside & set the pumpkin seeds aside.
  3. Separate the pumpkin flesh from the outer skin & cut into medium cubes. Toss the pumpkin cubes in olive oil & roast until tender, remove from oven and split into one third and two thirds.
  4. Put the two thirds of the pumpkin into a food processor and puree (use for pasta sauce recipe below).
  5. Rinse the pumpkin seeds in water to help clean up, then pat dry with paper towel, toss with cinnamon and spread out on a baking sheet. Toast in oven watching closely to ensure you don’t burn them, set aside.
  6. Toast coconut ribbons.
  7. Wash & chop 2 cups of swiss chard, set aside.
  8. Cook pasta, drain and add to pasta sauce.

Sauce Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and pinch of sea salt and sauté until onions are soft and tender (about 5-8 minutes) stirring frequently.
  2. Add garlic and sauté for additional 3 minutes, add the pumpkin puree, tomato sauce, honey, and water stirring to combine, turn the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
  3. Add the coconut milk, cinnamon, rosemary, sage and stir to combine.  Simmer for 5 minutes, add sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste. Add the cooked pasta & roasted pumpkin and stir to combine.

To plate: Heat pasta sauce. Cook pasta, drain and add to pasta sauce, add swiss chard, serve in pumpkin or on a platter or bowl. Garnish with fried sage, toasted coconut ribbons & toasted pumpkin seeds. Enjoy!

Chef David Speight outdoors, holding a bunch of basil.
Photo: Chef David Speight

Executive Chef & Culinary Director David Speight

The University of British Columbia

David’s passion for food is rivaled only by his dedication to health and sustainability. Born and raised in Vancouver, David is somewhat of a culinary legend at Rogers Arena where, as executive chef for six years, he developed a nutrition program for the Vancouver Canucks, kept 2010 Canadian Olympic hockey players properly fueled for their big games, and frequently prepared gourmet meals for visiting celebrities, recording artists, and heads of state. He also implemented an organization-wide recycling, composting, and food donation program.

David has held executive chef positions at Monk McQueen’s Seafood & Oyster Bar and Bridges restaurant. He is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York.