Indulge in our rustic pumpkin loaf, infused with sweet and savory flavours from pumpkin, crunchy amaretti biscuits, smoky pancetta, and Parmigiano cheese. Perfect as a starter or sliced and served with cold meats as an aperitif. 🥂
Serve 6, Preparation 30 mins, Cooking approx. 40 to 50 mins
- 300 g plain flour / all-purpose flour, sifted
- 7 g instant yeast (about 1 1/2 level teaspoons), sifted
- 150 g blanched pumpkin, diced
- 100 g. Smoked Pancetta, diced
- 4-5 fresh sage leaves
- 3 Italian amaretti biscuits, crumbled
- 1 peeled garlic clove
- 180 ml whole milk
- 70 ml Sunflower oil
- 2 tablespoons of EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Olive Oil
- 70 g. grated Parmigiano cheese
- 2 whole free-range eggs
- Salt, to taste
- a pinch of nutmeg
Method
Preheat the oven to 180°C / 350°F / Gas 4.
Line a loaf mould (approx. 30×14 cm, 7 cm deep) with baking paper. Whisk the eggs and set aside.
Heat 1 tbsp EVOO in a pan, stir-fry the smoked pancetta until crispy, then transfer to a bowl.
Add the blanched cubed pumpkin, sage leaves, garlic, and a pinch of nutmeg. Stir and cook until soft.
Transfer the cooked pumpkin mixture to a blender with:
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Milk
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2 crumbled amaretti biscuits
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Sunflower oil
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Grated Parmigiano
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Teaspoon of salt
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Blend until smooth, then pour into a bowl.
Stir in the whisked eggs and crispy pancetta with a wooden spoon.
Add sifted flour and yeast and mix until you get a smooth, compact batter.
Pour the mixture into the prepared loaf mould and level with a spatula. Sprinkle some extra grated Parmigiano on top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes (static oven).
Allow the pumpkin loaf to cool at room temperature before slicing.

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