Cooking Up Fall - Pumpkin Queso Fundido

Looking for a festive dish that brings bold flavor and cozy fall vibes? This pumpkin queso fundido is the perfect blend of creamy, cheesy goodness with a seasonal twist, making it an instant hit at any fall gathering or Friendsgiving. It’s easy to make, fun to share, and an ideal dish to bring along to your next party—or even give as a unique hostess gift with a little instructional card! Plus, baking and cooking together are wonderful ways to connect with friends and family during the holidays, creating delicious memories along the way!

Ingredients:

• One 2-3 pound sugar pumpkin
• 8 ounces dried chorizo, diced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, chopped
• 1 4-ounce can chopped green chiles
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups shredded Mozzarella or Oaxaca cheese
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• Chopped fresh cilantro
• Tortilla chips

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Slice off the top 1 1/2 inches of the pumpkin and discard. Scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp.
• Heat the chorizo in a medium pot over medium-high heat until the fat begins to render, about 5 minutes.
• Add the jalapeno, green chiles, cumin and cayenne and cook, stirring, until the jalapeno softens, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in the flour and cook, stirring, until the flour is slightly toasted, about 2 minutes.
• Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the cheeses.
• Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cheese melts and the mixture is creamy, about 3 more minutes.
• Place the pumpkin in a small baking dish and fill the pumpkin with the cheese mixture.
• Add 1 inch of boiling water to the baking dish. Cover loosely with foil and bake until the pumpkin is tender, about 1 hour, 20 minutes.
• Remove the foil and continue baking until the cheese is golden and bubbly, 20 to 25 more minutes. Let cool 5 to 10 minutes.
• Sprinkle with cilantro and serve with tortilla chips!
  

(Recipe courtesy of Food Network)