Ziti with Pumpkin and Sausage

Happy Halloween!!

I saw a recipe for Pumpkin and Sausage Penne recently and that was my inspiration for this dish which I thought was a perfect dinner for Halloween. Some carbs you can burn off while walking the neighborhood with good protein and spinach for vitamins.  Plus yummy pumpkin for a very festive feel!  Be sure to check out my post on making your own fresh pumpkin - so worth the effort. 

Ziti with Pumpkin and Sausage
1 lb ziti pasta, I used semolina but a whole wheat pasta would be great here
12 oz chicken apple sausage, cut into 1" pieces
Olive Oil
1 onion, diced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
Chicken Stock, about 1 1/2 cups
Pumpkin Beer, half a bottle
2 cups fresh pumpkin (or 1 can pure pumpkin)
Fresh Grated Nutmeg
Grated Cinnamon
Salt & Pepper
Fresh Spinach, 9 oz bag
Heavy Cream, one turn of pan

Cook pasta according to package directions to al dente and reserving 1 cup of starchy pasta water before draining - be sure to salt your water well so your pasta tastes good.  Meanwhile heat oil in large skillet and add sausage, cooking until brown.  Add onion and cook for few minutes then add garlic and cook until onion is softened being careful not to burn garlic.  Also season with salt at this step.  Add pumpkin, stock, beer, a good grating of nutmeg, a good punch of cinnamon and pepper.  I add quite a few turns of black pepper as I want to be sure to add the heat from the pepper to counteract the sweetness from the sausage and seasonings.  Bring this mixture to a simmer, reduce heat and cook until it starts to thicken.  If it gets to thick this is where you can add the pasta water to thin it out. 

Just before pasta is done add the spinach to the pumpkin mixture and stir until wilted.  Drain pasta and add to skillet and combine.  Taste to adjust seasoning and you may need to add a little more pasta water to help sauce cover all pasta.  Add cream just before serving and be sure to combine.  You can also use a little sour cream or creme fraiche here or just omit it. I don't want to make a cream sauce but think the small addition at the end helps round out the sauce. And of course be sure to taste and adjust seasonings before serving!

Vegetarian Option: You could easily substitute hearty mushrooms for the sausage here and use a vegetable stock to make a vegetarian dish.  It would be delicious!

ZITI WITH PUMPKIN & SAUSAGE