Corn porridge in pumpkin

Step-by-step cooking

1. Step 1:

   

   How to cook corn porridge? Prepare the necessary ingredients. It is better to buy corn groats proven and not the cheapest. There was an unpleasant experience: in the absence of another choice, I had to buy the cheapest cereal for 30 rubles. a pack. There was a lot of garbage in it and some black dots that could not be sorted out - there were too many of them, and the cereal itself was very bitter even after soaking. Therefore, immediately choose high-quality cereals.

2. Step 2:

   

   Rinse the corn grits thoroughly until clear water. It is advisable to soak the grits for 3-5 hours in cold water. This will remove excessive bitterness from the cereal, and also slightly soften the cereal. Then discard the grits on a sieve and rinse again.

3. Step 3:

   

   Wash dried apricots, prunes and raisins thoroughly and remove the seeds, if any. If the dried fruits are very hard and dried, it is better to fill them with hot water and leave for 10-15 minutes. Then drain the water.

4. Step 4:

   

   Rinse the pumpkin thoroughly and dry it. Carefully cut off the top. Carefully, trying not to damage the walls, remove the seeds from the pumpkin with a spoon. Do not touch the walls of the pumpkin with the pulp.

5. Step 5:

   

   If when cutting off the lid you will have a part of the pulp, like mine, then cut it into small cubes. With the pulp, the porridge will turn out tastier and more fragrant.

6. Step 6:

   

   Pour the milk into the pan, add the prepared corn grits, pumpkin pieces, sugar and salt. If desired, you can add vanilla on the tip of the knife.

7. Step 7:

   

   Put the pan on medium heat and bring the porridge to a boil.

9. Step 8:

   

   Then reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, under the lid for about 20 minutes.

10. Step 9:

    

    During this time, most of the milk will be absorbed into the cereal, and the cereal itself will swell and the porridge will increase in volume. At the same time, the porridge itself will not be ready yet, it will reach readiness inside the pumpkin during baking in the oven. Remove the pan from the stove.

11. Step 10:

    

    Add dried fruits to the porridge and mix. Taste the porridge and add sugar if necessary.

12. Step 11:

    

    Put corn porridge with dried fruits in the prepared pumpkin. Spread the pieces of butter on top.

13. Step 12:

    

    Cover the pumpkin with a previously cut lid and wrap the vegetable with foil.

14. Step 13:

    

    Put the pumpkin in a preheated 180 ° C oven and bake for 1-1.5 hours, depending on the variety, size of the pumpkin, thickness and density of its walls.

15. Step 14:

    

    Serve the porridge directly in the pumpkin, cutting the vegetable into portions with a sharp knife. Enjoy your meal!