Roast Pumpkin & Bacon Risotto with Toasted Pine Nuts & Parsley

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan forced. Cut the red onion into 2cm wedges. Peel and chop the butternut pumpkin into 2cm chunks. Place the onion and pumpkin on the oven tray lined with baking paper. Drizzle with olive oil and season with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Spread in a single layer and roast until tender, 20-25 minutes. TIP: Cut the veggies to the correct size so they cook in the allocated time. Alternative Step 1 if you've received peeled and chopped pumpkin: Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan forced. Cut the red onion into 2cm wedges. Place the onion and peeled and chopped pumpkin on the oven tray lined with baking paper. Drizzle with olive oil and season with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Spread in a single layer and roast until tender, 20-25 minutes. TIP: Cut the veggies to the correct size so they cook in the allocated time.

Step 2

While the veggies are roasting, grate the zucchini. Cut the bacon into 1cm pieces.

Step 3

In a large frying pan, heat a drizzle of olive oil over a high heat. Add the bacon and cook until golden and crisp, 4-5 minutes. Add the garlic & herb seasoning, zucchini, arborio rice, crumbled vegetable stock (1 cube for 2 people / 2 cubes for 4 people) and water. Bring to the boil, then remove from the heat.

Step 4

Transfer the risotto to a medium baking dish. Cover tightly with foil and bake until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is 'al dente' 24-28 minutes. TIP: 'Al dente' means the rice is cooked through but still has a tiny bit of firmness in the middle.

Step 5

While the risotto is baking, roughly chop the parsley leaves. Zest the lemon to get a good pinch, then slice into wedges. Wash and return the frying pan to a medium-high heat, add the pine nuts and toast until golden, 2-3 minutes. Set aside. Remove the risotto from the oven and stir through the lemon zest, a good squeeze of lemon juice, baby spinach leaves, butter and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir through a splash of water to loosen the risotto if needed. Gently stir in the roasted onion and pumpkin. Season to taste.

Step 6

Divide the pumpkin and bacon risotto between bowls and top with the toasted pine nuts and parsley. Serve with any remaining lemon wedges.