White Bean and Pumpkin Stew Recipe

Editor's note: For our last week at Food Lush, I've asked the writers to share both a favorite post by another writer, from over the last three years, and a favorite post of their own. You'll see these posts linked to at the top of their new post for the week. Enjoy a stroll down Lush memory lane!

By Dani

As everybody has said, it's really, really hard to pick a favorite Food Lush post, so I'm going to go with my gut and what I'm enjoying this week: Tara C.'s Zuppa di Anglio Fresco has been fighting off cold winds and germs for me lately, and I love it.

For me, I have to pick Tell Me: Starbucks vs. Indie Coffee - a topic that is oddly close to my heart. It's also a post that recalls one of the things I have loved about Food Lush: that it's a place to relive travels, bounce around ideas, debate the merits of food-related issues and try new things. Thank you for being a part of that, and letting me be a member of the team that played here every week.

***

Now, I want to share with you a stew recipe that has been a staple for me this winter - it's sweet, salty, hearty - and a perfect use for leftover ham. It's adapted from a recipe is Campfire Cookery (an excellent cookbook in its own right!)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb of dried beans (I used Great Northern white beans, but anything will do)
• 1 lb. or so of fresh pumpkin, cubed (butternut squash also works)
• 1/2 lb. of ham or pancetta, chopped
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon of thyme
• 1 cinnamon stick
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Soak beans overnight, or simmer for about an hour before making the rest of the stew. Once the beans are softened, place all ingredients in a Crock-Pot with two quarts of fresh water or broth, and let cook for about eight hours. (The longer it simmers, the better it is!) Serve with crusty bread and a sprinkle of brown sugar and nutmeg on top.

(The finished product and cookbook. Photo by me.)

Comments

[HereWeGoAJen]

Oh, that sounds good. I love soup. And crusty bread. In fact, let me go make some bread right now.

Thanks for all your posts here! I've always loved them.

[Tara C.]

Oh, I can't tell you how happy it makes me that you've been enjoying the garlic soup recipe. This stew recipe looks awesome--definitely something I'll try. I'm going to miss all these posts and recipes so much!

[Caitlin]

Thanks for sharing these, Dani! Garlic soup! Pumpkin stew!

I will miss it here - and I totally remember that coffee post!

[Jen L.]

Dani! I love your posts so much. This is a great one, too. I"m on a big bean kick right now, so know that I will totally make this recipe. Take care, sweet lady!