A rustic bowl holds a feast for the eye and taste, brimming with plump open mussels, warm hued pumpkin chunks, and sprigs of fresh thyme. Caramelized shallots shimmer in the creamy white broth, dotted with orange zest curls. Crusty French bread slices nestled at one side, perfect for soaking up the delicious wine broth.

Pumpkin-Infused Mussels in White Wine Broth

Name: Pumpkin-Infused Mussels in White Wine Broth
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: fresh Mussels, 2 pounds de-bearded and scrubbed; small Pumpkin, 1 diced into 1 inch cubes; large Shallot, 1 sliced; Garlic cloves, 2 minced; Orange, 1 zested and juiced; White Wine, 1 cup; Thyme sprigs, 1 bunch; Olive Oil, 2 tablespoons; Salt and Pepper, to taste

Category Quick and Easy

Prep 20 minutes

Cook 30 minutes

Style French

Technique Roasting

Diet Friendly Low-Carb

Daily Recipe: October 05, 2023

Experience the ambiance of a French seaside café with this visually stunning and savory mussel dish. The plump mussels are steeped in a broth enhancing the brininess with the citrusy note of the orange zest and the lush flavor of the fall pumpkin. The caramelized shallots and roasted pumpkin add a hint of sweetness complementing the delicate, meaty mussels.

Ingredients (for 4)

Fresh mussels - 2 pounds - de-bearded and scrubbed
Small pumpkin - 1 - diced into 1 inch cubes
Large shallot - 1 - sliced
Garlic cloves - 2 - minced
Orange - 1 - zested and juiced
White wine - 1 cup
Thyme sprigs - 1 bunch
Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
Salt and pepper - to taste

Preparation

Step 1 - 🔥🎃🍳

Firstly, preheat your oven to 400°F. Toss the diced pumpkin with one tablespoon of olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste, and roast for 20 minutes until it's turning golden and is tender.
Step 2 - 🍳🧅🍊

In a large pot over medium heat, add the remaining olive oil, the sliced shallots, minced garlic, and orange zest. Cook this until the shallots have caramelized.
Step 3 - 🥘🍷🍲

Pour the white wine into the pot, then add the mussels and the previously roasted pumpkin cubes. Cover the pot and allow the mussels to steam for around 5-7 minutes, or until they've opened.
Step 4 - 🍊🌿🍽️

Just before serving, drizzle the fresh orange juice over the mixture and scatter thyme sprigs on top. Season with additional pepper if desired. Best served with crusty French bread.

Additional

This recipe is quite versatile and allows for modifications. To add more substance, you can include diced potatoes in the roasting process. Or add a flavor twist with a splash of Pernod, an anise-flavored liqueur popular in French cuisine. To involve little hands in the kitchen, kids can help by scrubbing the mussels clean or squeezing the orange.