A cozy fall mood-booster that’s both tasty and good for you. This honey-baked pumpkin comes out sweet, fragrant, and super tender, and you only need a few simple ingredients. As it roasts, the honey–orange marinade caramelizes and gives the pumpkin an incredible flavor. Everyone’s going to love it.
Ingredients
Serves: 4
- Pumpkin – 500 g (about 1.1 lb)
- Orange – 1
- Honey – 2 Tbsp
- Neutral vegetable oil (refined, no smell) – 1 Tbsp
- Sesame seeds – 1 Tbsp
Nutrition facts (per 100 g):
- Protein: 1 g (5%)
- Fat: 4 g (19%)
- Carbohydrates: 16 g (76%)
- Calories: 101 kcal
Glycemic index: 13 / 0 / 88
Step 1. Getting started
Preheat your oven to 180°C (about 350°F). Get all your ingredients ready. You can use any kind of pumpkin. If your pumpkin is very sweet, feel free to cut back on the honey. You can also swap the honey for regular or vanilla sugar. The orange is optional, so you can leave it out if you want a simpler flavor.
Step 2. Prepping the orange
Wash and dry the orange really well. Using a fine grater, grate a thin layer of zest, trying not to get into the bitter white pith. Then cut the orange in half and squeeze the juice from one half.
Step 3. Making the honey–orange marinade
In a small bowl, mix together the honey, vegetable oil, orange juice, and orange zest until smooth. If your honey has crystallized, melt it gently first, then let it cool a bit before mixing.
Step 4. Cutting the pumpkin
Scoop out the seeds and remove the peel from the pumpkin. Cut it into not-too-thick slices, or into large cubes if you prefer.
Step 5. Marinating the pumpkin
Place the pumpkin pieces in a bowl. Pour the honey–orange marinade over them and mix well so every piece is coated. Arrange the pumpkin in a single layer in a baking dish.
Step 6. Baking time
Bake the pumpkin for about 30–40 minutes (or a bit longer if needed) at 180°C / 350°F, until it’s soft and tender. The exact baking time will depend on the type of pumpkin, the size of the pieces, and your oven.
Step 7. Toasting the sesame seeds
While the pumpkin is baking, lightly toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–5 minutes, stirring often. Toasting the seeds helps bring out their nutty aroma and flavor.
Step 8. Serving the pumpkin dessert
Transfer the baked pumpkin to a serving plate. Spoon over any juices that collected in the baking dish and sprinkle with the toasted sesame seeds. If you like, garnish with star anise and fresh mint. Serve warm and enjoy!
Pumpkin baked with honey goes way back to ancient cultures, where both ingredients were easy to get. In old Russia, pumpkin was the star autumn vegetable, and baking it in a wood-fired oven with honey or molasses was a classic way to make a sweet, filling dish.
Pumpkin baked with honey is packed with beta-carotene and vitamins A and C. The orange adds even more vitamins, and honey brings natural antioxidants. This dish helps support your immune system, is good for your eyes and digestion, and works as a great natural energy booster.