Pumpkin Tuesday: Pasta with Pumpkin and Spicey Sausage

This pumpkin recipe is one of my favorites. Italian often eat pumpkin dishes with chili flakes. They like to put a bit of spice into the pumpkin dishes. This recipe is super easy and so delicious.

Ingredients:

1 box of penne pasta or other short tubular pasta
1 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree ( I roast a pumpkin in the oven and then puree it)
1 pound of ground beef or lamb
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 clove of garlic minced
1/2 tablespoon of chili flakes
salt and pepper to taste

To start, put a pot of water on to boil. When it is boiling add in a fist full of salt. Then add in the whole box of pasta. Make sure to stir every once and while so the pasta doesn't stick to the pot or itself.  Next heat 2 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan, add in the garlic and fennel seeds. Toast for 30 seconds then add in the meat. Allow to cook until it has a nice brown color. Then add in chili flakes salt and pepper and the pumpkin puree. Mix it all together and then turn off the heat. When the pasta is ready drain it and toss it with the pumpkin mixture. Serve hot, with a grating of fresh parmigiano reggiano. Buon Appetito!