Sweet Pumpkin Simmered in Sweet Soy Glaze
Microwave Sweet Pumpkin Simmer: Super Easy Sweet & Savory Dish!
I used to just steam sweet pumpkin for snacks, but when I tried it as a side dish, it was so deliciously fluffy and flavorful that I absolutely had to share it with all you sweet pumpkin lovers! Even better, it’s incredibly simple to make without using the stove, just in the microwave! It’s super, super easy, so please give it a try. Sometimes sweet pumpkins can be a bit of a gamble, like potatoes; some are fluffy and sweet, while others can be watery and bland. That’s why I often buy mini sweet pumpkins instead of larger ones. Mini sweet pumpkins are a perfect portion size and tend to be sweeter. It’s incredibly simple and easy, so let’s make it right away! ^^
Ingredients- 1 mini sweet pumpkin
Seasoning- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin, etc.)
- 2 Tbsp oligosaccharide (or honey/corn syrup)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp ground toasted sesame seeds
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin, etc.)
- 2 Tbsp oligosaccharide (or honey/corn syrup)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp ground toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the mini sweet pumpkin thoroughly and pat it dry. To make it easier to cut, place the whole pumpkin in the microwave and heat for about 2 minutes. This softens the tough skin slightly, making it much easier to slice.
Step 2
Cut the pumpkin in half and then use a spoon to cleanly scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp from the inside. Removing the seeds thoroughly will ensure a cleaner texture and better flavor when cooked.
Step 3
Cut the pumpkin into bite-sized pieces. The skin is packed with fiber and nutrients, so if you’ve washed it well, it’s recommended to eat it with the skin on! If you cut them too large, they might take longer to cook in the microwave, so aim for uniform, bite-sized pieces.
Step 4
Place all the prepared pumpkin pieces into a microwave-safe dish. Then, add all the seasoning ingredients you’ve measured out: soy sauce, cooking wine, oligosaccharide, minced garlic, and ground toasted sesame seeds.
Step 5
Gently toss the pumpkin pieces with the seasoning to coat them evenly. It’s important that the sauce coats the surface of the pumpkin uniformly. Be careful not to mix too vigorously, as this can cause the pumpkin to break apart.
Step 6
Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap. Sealing it well will trap the steam, ensuring the pumpkin cooks through and stays moist.
Step 7
Using a chopstick or toothpick, poke about 4-5 holes in the plastic wrap. These holes allow excess steam to escape during cooking. Now, microwave on high for about 4-5 minutes. Cooking time may vary depending on your microwave’s wattage.
Step 8
Once the cooking time is up, carefully remove the dish from the microwave. Be very cautious when removing the plastic wrap, as hot steam will escape. Lift it slowly to avoid getting burned.
Step 9
Check if the pumpkin is cooked through. Insert a chopstick into a piece of pumpkin; if it slides in easily without resistance, it’s perfectly cooked. If it’s still a bit firm, microwave in 1-minute increments, checking for doneness each time.
Step 10
Now it’s time to plate the cooked pumpkin. Since the pumpkin is tender, gently stir it to avoid breaking the pieces, and arrange them nicely on a plate.
Step 11
Finally, for an extra touch of flavor and texture, sprinkle some crushed nuts like almonds, peanuts, or pine nuts over the top. The addition of these crunchy nuts makes the sweet pumpkin simmer even more delicious! Enjoy your meal!
