Best Vegan Stuffed Pumpkin (Gluten Free)

This brown rice and pecan stuffed pumpkin recipe is vegan, gluten-free, and can be made nut-free too. It makes the ideal vegan Thanksgiving centrepiece!

📝 Ingredients

• 1 medium pumpkin (no more than 5-6 inches wide)
• 3/4 cup pecan pieces (can use walnuts if unavailable)
• 2 tbsp olive oil (plus a little more to brush the pumpkin)
• 1 stick celery, finely diced
• 1 small onion, finely diced (about 2/3 cup)
• 3 large cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 cup cooked short or long grain brown rice (1/3 cup uncooked rice)
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 tbsp dried ground sage
• 1 tsp dried ground rosemary
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• Sea salt to taste (I use 1/2-1 tsp)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• Parsley, optional, to garnish

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Preheat oven to 400°CF/205°C.
2. 2Using a pumpkin carving or small sharp knife, cut lid off pumpkin and scoop out insides with a large spoon, leaving a large hollow. Set aside.
3. 3Add pecans to small skillet and toast on stovetop on low-ish heat for 10 minutes or until fragrant.
4. 4Place in blender/food processor and blend for 6-8 seconds, until pecans are small pieces. Set aside.
5. 5To large skillet, add 1 tbsp of oil. When oil is hot add diced celery and onion, and sauté on medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes (until onion is translucent). Add garlic and sauté for 2 more minutes.
6. 6Add cooked rice, cranberries, pecans, sage, rosemary, onion powder, remaining oil, 3 tbsp water, black pepper and salt to skillet. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently. (Mixture should be crumbly.) Adjust seasoning if needed and remove from heat.
7. 7Brush inside and outside of pumpkin with olive oil, and season inside well with salt and pepper.
8. 8Spoon pumpkin filling into pumpkin - packing it fairly tightly - and place the top of the pumpkin back on.
9. 9Wrap pumpkin completely in a layer of aluminum foil and place on baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 45-50 minutes.
10. 10Remove foil and bake pumpkin, uncovered, for a further 10 minutes. (The pumpkin is ready when you can easily push the tip of a knife into the skin.)
11. 11Remove from oven and serve cut into four wedges with your favourite seasonal greens or salad, mashed potatoes and gravy (if desired). Optionally garnish with parsley.