Pumpkin Alfredo you ask?! l told you I was on a pumpkin kick and somehow pasta made it into the mix! I love alfredo sauce, how can you not like creamy garlicky goodness? But every time I see it on a menu I tend to stay away from it just because I know one dish of the stuff is probably enough for 2 days of my caloric intake as well it often leaves you with that oh so lovely stick to your ribs, can't breathe, need to put my sweatpants on immediately, I can't move from the couch feeling. Well I am telling you now I think I have found a worthy alternative! Pureed pumpkin and cottage cheese are the base for this creamy sauce and I know those two ingredients are probably at the bottom of everybody's food list (they used to be on mine) but it really works!! It's garlicky, cheesey, creamy and as an added bonus, loaded with antioxidants (beta carotene), Vit C, iron, fiber and much more! This sauce would also be great with chicken wrapped prosciutto, cannelloni, cauliflower and broccoli...tons of possibilities! Thanksgiving is coming up and I started thinking about how I could turn this into a Thanksgiving pasta....Pumpkin Penne Alfredo with Turkey Sausage, baked with a Sage Bread Crumb Topping (aka the "stuffing" component). This just may be what I will be eating seeing as I won't be with my fam this year for turkey dinner! Snff snff anyone in need of a extra guest at their table this year in Van? I know this great pasta dish I could bring...
Penne Pumpkin Alfredo with Garlic Chicken Sausage (Serves 4)
Pumpkin Alfredo Sauce:
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
1 cup pumpkin puree (butternut squash would work well too)
3 tbsp tomato paste
2 tsp agave syrup (or sugar)
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 onion, fine diced
3 garlic cloves
1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
s+p
Garlic chicken sausage, roasted or pan fried (or any kind you like, chorizo would be good too)
Swiss Chard (lightly sauteed)
5 cups cooked whole wheat or brown rice penne
Fresh grated Parmigiano Regganio
1. In a food processor puree milk, cottage cheese, pumpkin puree and tomato paste.
2. In a pot sweat onion and garlic just till translucent. Add in pumpkin sauce and add sage, cayenne, agave and s+p to your taste. Heat just until warmed through (be careful as the sauce can break when it gets too hot due to the cottage cheese). If too thick add a bit of pasta water.
3. Toss together pasta, sauce, swiss chard and chicken and serve immediately
2 comments:
great idea laura. I was thinking of making a fall squash and apple soup this weekend, but this pasta looks and sounds divine. The Laura three years ago would never have thought this brilliant idea up. We need to rendevue in Van and talk shop.
This looks exceptionally tasty, if you lie food blogging events you should submit the recipe to "Double Take"
http://double-take-food-fun.blogspot.com/2011/08/august-1st-2011.html
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