Name: Pumpkin Stuffed with Vegetable Stew
Cook time: 1 1/2 hr
Total time: 7 hr
Yield: Makes 8 servings (main course)
Ingredients: 1 fennel bulb with fronds; 2 medium parsnips (1/2 pound total), peeled, quartered, cored, and cut into 1-inch pieces; 1/2 pound celery root (sometimes called celeriac; 1/2 of 1 medium), peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces; 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces; 14 small shallots (about 1 pound), peeled and left whole, plus 1/2 cup chopped; 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided 2 red bell peppers; 1 (8- to 9-lb) pumpkin (preferably cheese, pie, or Sweet Meat variety); Roasted-vegetable and wine sauce , heated; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1/2 pound fresh cremini mushrooms, trimmed and halved; 1/4 pound fresh chanterelle mushrooms, trimmed; 1 pound seitan (seasoned wheat gluten), cut into 1/2-inch pieces; 1 teaspoon chopped thyme, divided; 1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley; 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest

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Pumpkin Stuffed with Vegetable StewRomulo Yanes

Vegetarians deserve a showstopping centerpiece for their main course, too, and this burnished pumpkin, filled with a fragrant stew, will have even meat eaters saying, "Who needs a turkey?" Root vegetables, mushrooms, and seitan—a firm, meatlike wheat protein that soaks up all the flavors of the sauce—mingle with roasted vegetables inside the pumpkin, whose flesh you scoop out along with servings of the stew. (Don't be intimidated at the thought of assembling such a masterpiece—if you've ever made a jack-o'-lantern, you have the skills to prepare this dish.)

Cooks' notes

· Bell peppers can be broiled on rack of a broiler pan about 2 inches from heat, turning occasionally, 6 to 8 minutes. · Peppers can be roasted and peeled up to 2 days ahead and chilled, covered. · Root vegetables can be roasted 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring to room temperature before using. · Pumpkin can be cut, scraped, and seasoned 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Pour out any accumulated liquid and bring pumpkin to room temperature before proceeding with recipe.

Recipe notes