Roasted Pumpkin With Creamy Yogurt Sauce

This light and flavorful roasted pumpkin with yogurt can be the perfect side for any of your fancy roast meals, or even just as a light lunch when paired with a salad. The sheer simplicity and deliciousness of this recipe is what makes it such a win! 

Think you’re ready to give the recipe a shot? Here’s all you need to know about making it. 

Ingredients For the Recipe

You’ll need a very simple set of ingredients to make the roasted pumpkin with yogurt. 

For the Roasted Pumpkin

• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 ¼ kg pumpkin
• 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

For the Lemon Yogurt Sauce

• ¾ teaspoon salt and pepper
• ¾ cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoon olive oil, extra virgin
• ¼ teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 garlic clove, chopped

For the Garnish

• 2 tablespoon coriander/cilantro, fresh leaves 
• 2 tablespoon walnuts chopped 
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds 
• 1 tablespoon dried cranberries 
• 1 teaspoon paprika

How to Make the Roasted Pumpkin with Yogurt

Once you have all your ingredients ready, here’s the process you’ll need to follow. 

• Cut pumpkin into cubes.
• Toss the pumpkin in a bowl with garlic, salt, pepper and olive oil. 
• Spread on a parchment paper-lined tray. 
• Roast in a HOT oven – 220°C/430°F (200°C fan) –for 20 minutes so we can get some nice color on the pumpkin in the time it takes for the inside to cook through.
• High temperature is key here – if you use a lower temperature, then by the time the pumpkin goes golden, the inside turns to mush. 
• Flip and then roast again for 10 minutes.
• Mix yogurt with lemon zest, salt, pepper and olive oil, leave for at least 10 minutes to let the flavors develop!
• Pile the pumpkin in a mound on a plate. 
• Drizzle the yogurt sauce, top with a little olive oil, then sprinkle with paprika, walnuts, cranberries and coriander.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Else Can I Add to the Roasted Pumpkin with Yogurt?

Considering how versatile this dish is, you can actually add in a lot of other ingredients of your choice. Chopped onions and canned chickpeas can be a wonderful addition to the dish. You can also think about adding other crunchy nuts and seeds into the mix, and not just stick to using the walnuts and pumpkin seeds. 

What Other Variations Can I Try?

Fancy trying out this recipe with some other ingredients? Swap the pumpkin for some butternut squash or even sweet potatoes. Each of these veggies have a similar flavor base and texture, and can work wonderfully as alternatives for each other. 

Can I Prep the Dish in Advance?

You actually can! The yogurt dressing can be prepared up to a day in advance and refrigerated in a glass jar or container. You can also air fry or roast the pumpkin, transfer everything to an airtight container and refrigerate. 

Then, all you need to do is put all the elements together when you want to serve it. 

Tips & Tricks to Nail the Roasted Pumpkin Recipe

Think you’re ready to give the recipe a shot? Keeping these few tips and tricks in mind can really help. 

• To make the yogurt sauce more creamy and flavorful, add a bit of tahini (sesame paste) into the mix. 
• If you don’t have Greek yogurt, you can use homeset yogurt too. Just remember to choose the full fat variety to get the perfect creaminess. 
• Don’t have the cilantro the recipe calls for? Swap with some chopped dill and you’re good to go! 
• Want some extra flavor and deliciousness? Add a pinch or two of curry powder into the marinade for the pumpkin. 
• Fancy a kick of spice? Add some paprika or red pepper flakes into the mix, or just add a dash of sriracha on the top along with the yogurt sauce. 
• To lend the roasted pumpkin with yogurt an extra tangy punch and a pop of color, top it with some pomegranate kernels right before you serve. 

Serving Ideas & Suggestions

The creamy and delicious roasted pumpkin with yogurt can be served as a side dish with your roast chicken or turkey, and is perfect for Thanksgiving too! 

If you want to enjoy it as a light meal, it can work great on its own, or you can pair it with a crunchy salad too!

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