Japan has great Pumpkins that have rather dry and powdery texture like Chestnuts. Since I moved to Australia, I have tried to create some pumpkin dishes that I used to cook in Japan, but all Pumpkins available in Australia, including a Pumpkin called Japanese Pumpkin, have turned too watery, sloppy or mushy. They are not suitable for those Japanese dishes such as this ‘Goma-ae’. HOWEVER, I recently discovered a solution. Use outer parts only and roast them.

Makes

4 Servings

Ingredients

450 to 500g Pumpkin Outer Parts with Skin
1 teaspoon Sesame Oil *optional

‘Goma-ae’ Sauce
2 tablespoons Toasted Sesame Seeds *ground
1 tablespoon Sugar
2 tablespoons Soy Sauce

Method
  1. Cut Pumpkin into bite-size pieces and cut skin side into 20 to 25mm thick. Coat with a small amount Sesame Oil, spread on a baking tray, and roast in the oven at 200℃ for 15 minutes or until cooked. *Note: Use the softer parts for soup or something else.
  2. Meanwhile, Grind Toasted Sesame Seeds, add Sugar and Soy Sauce, and mix well to make sauce.
  3. Combine cooked Pumpkin and the sauce.
  4. *Note: The photo above is Kent Pumpkin, cut to 25mm thick. The skin was rather orange when I bought it. The photo below is Butternut Pumpkin, cut to 10mm thin. It was a little bit chewy.