Spicy Pumpkin Pork Noodles Recipe

Spicy Pumpkin Pork Noodles Accidental Perfection

While experimenting with pumpkin in a spicy Asian-inspired noodle dish, what was originally planned to be roasted pumpkin pieces tossed with noodles and sauce turned into a happy accident. The pumpkin cubes became too soft and dissolved into the sauce, creating a surprisingly perfect result. And though it was an accident, Im more than happy to let the world think it was a stroke of genius.

The other intentional genius? Using bucatini noodles. While you can use any pasta, the hollow spaghetti version absorbs the sauce beautifully, enhancing the texture of the dish.

If you prefer not to roast a sugar pumpkin, canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) will work just fine. Alternatively, leftover kabocha, butternut, or acorn squash are excellent substitutes. Adjust the Korean chili paste based on the brand, but youll get the hang of it. Feel free to add seasonal greens or switch the meat topping. Regardless of how you adapt the recipe, I loved the final result and hope you give it a try soon!

Ingredients

This recipe is based on the original yield, which serves 2 people.

Pork Topping:

• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 8 ounces ground pork
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• cup sliced green onions
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce

Noodles and Sauce:

• 6 ounces bucatini (dry)
• 1 tablespoon reserved oil from cooking pork
• cup pumpkin puree
• 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean hot pepper paste)
• cup sliced green onions
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons diced hot chile peppers
• 1 lime, juiced
• cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

Step 1: Gather all ingredients. This will ensure you have everything ready for the cooking process.

Step 2: Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground pork and cook, breaking it up into small pieces, for 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the pork is browned and crumbled, about 5 minutes.

Step 3: Lower the heat to medium, then add the minced garlic and sliced green onions. Cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Stir in the hoisin sauce and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, allowing the sauce to coat the pork. Transfer the pork topping to a bowl and set aside.

Step 4: Pour out the excess cooking grease from the skillet, but leave about 1 tablespoon of grease. Add the pumpkin puree, gochujang, green onions, sesame oil, and chili peppers to the skillet. Cook and stir over medium heat for 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine.

Step 5: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the bucatini and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender yet firm to the bite, about 10 minutes. Once the noodles are ready, use tongs to transfer them into the skillet with the pumpkin sauce. Reserve about cup of the pasta cooking water.

Step 6: Squeeze the lime juice over the noodles. Add about 2 tablespoons of the reserved pasta water and stir the noodles into the sauce, ensuring everything is well combined. Continue to add pasta water a little at a time, adjusting the sauce to your preferred consistency.

Step 7: Turn off the heat and stir in the chopped fresh cilantro. Transfer the noodles to a plate and top with the cooked ground pork.

Step 8: Serve and enjoy!

Chef's Notes

• If making your own pumpkin puree from scratch, roast a sugar pumpkin at 375F (190C) until very soft, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
• Any dry pasta will work instead of bucatini. Just cook it in salted water until tender. Be sure to reserve some of the cooking water for adjusting the sauce.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

• Calories: 787
• Total Fat: 33g (42% Daily Value)
• Saturated Fat: 10g (52% Daily Value)
• Cholesterol: 82mg (27% Daily Value)
• Sodium: 470mg (20% Daily Value)
• Total Carbohydrate: 90g (33% Daily Value)
• Dietary Fiber: 6g (20% Daily Value)
• Protein: 32g (65% Daily Value)
• Potassium: 843mg (18% Daily Value)

Note: Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.