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    Home • Recipes • Autumn Recipes

    Stuffed Mini Pumpkins (Jack Be Little Farcies)

    Published: Oct 2, 2022 · Modified: Jan 12, 2025 by Jill Colonna15 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    Stuffed Mini Pumpkins are so versatile for parties, side-dishes, as an appetizer, starter or even main. Often presented as decorations, those little Jack-be-Littles are totally edible and delicious too. Stuff with mushrooms and other basic ingredients or adapt this basic recipe to your own creativity. For non-vegetarians, add some bacon.

    I made this with 2 mini pumpkins- it was delicious and I will definitely make it again. It was a revelation that you can microwave pumpkin, a great saving of time and energy.

    Ruth

    mini orange pumpkins with 2 tiny ones cut open and stuffed

    Can You Eat Mini Pumpkins?

    Of course you can. Don't just use little mini pumpkins to decorate the table. Those mini pumpkins are edible and taste so good! So, if you're looking for mini pumpkin recipes, here's one that's so tasty, quick and simple to prepare. My vegetable man at the market explained it to me years ago. Ever since, I've played with the basic idea - and it's easy to adapt this recipe to your own creativity.

    Unlike regular big pumpkins, the minis are so quick to prepare. Just 4 minutes in the microwave is all it takes to cook them - and so easy to scoop out the seeds, leaving a cavity ready to fill with goodies. Then, when ready to serve, top with a little cheese and finish them off in the oven for just a few minutes. C'est très simple !

    These mini pumpkins are great as a side-dish, as a main dish for vegetarians or fun party food. It's good for Thanksgiving or on festive end of year menus as a no-turkey treat! Moreover, I've noticed that everyone adores having their own personal little pumpkin on their plate. The bonus is that they're healthy too.

    tiny pumpkins split open, cooked and stuffed with mushrooms, nuts, herbs and melted cheese

    What are Mini Pumpkins Called?

    These mini pumpkins are called Jack-be-Little.
    In France, they are also known as Pomarine, although they originated in Colorado, USA. Like Potimarrons or Red Kuri Squash, once cooked, the skin is edible and they're so easy to stuff. Their cute size means they're great as a side-dish for Autumn, Hallowe'en parties, Thanksgiving or end of year menus.

    I didn't give them enough justice on my creamy lemon pasta sauce recipe for roast chicken or turkey, and realise they need their own recipe post. So here's the most easy recipe to make 'Jack Be Little' Stuffed Mini Pumpkins.

    See more on the market page for pumpkins and squash.

    little orange mini pumpkins surrounded by stuffing ingredients
    Easily adaptable recipe can be made vegetarian and vegan

    Can I Prepare Them in Advance?

    If you're preparing mini pumpkins for a party, it couldn't be easier. Just prepare them in advance earlier in the day and when ready to serve, simply finish them off under the grill or bake in a hot oven for 10-15 minutes.

    The big bonus is they first cook in the microwave, so it saves you time!

    I wouldn't recommend chopping the garlic and mushrooms in advance, as they'll lose their flavours and vitamins. Instead, prepare the stuffed pumpkins completely cooked and leave the last grilling part to last.  This way, the pumpkins are heated under the grill, topped with more cheese which is deliciously melted and toasted and ready to serve.

    scooping out seeds of mini pumpkins

    How to Stuff Mini Pumpkins

    So here's what my local market's vegetable man told me to do with them years ago.

    Simply cook them first in the microwave. They only take 4-5 minutes each (about 8-10 minutes for 2), depending on their size. Leave them to cool to make it easier to slice off their tops.

    Scoop out the seeds (keep aside to toast them - either with salt or plain to use as an ingredient in homemade maple granola), then stuff the cavity with this delicious filling.

    looking down on to mini pumpkins stuffed with mushrooms and cream

    Just before ready to serve, finish off for a few minutes under the grill.  It's as simple as that!

    Love mushrooms with pumpkin?

    Then make either our favourite chestnut flour, pumpkin and mushroom tart or this butternut, walnut and mushroom gratin.

    gratin dish with spoon taking out colourful butternut squash, toasted walnuts, chestnuts

    How to Serve

    Either serve them on their own or as a main dish or a side. Stuffed mini pumpkins are delicious served with sausages, roasted chicken or turkey and fabulous with a buttery Chardonnay white wine. Try them with baked BBQ chicken drumsticks for a real treat.

    If you prefer red wine, go for French fruity reds such as a Pinot Noir from Alsace, Burgundy or a gamay Beaujolais Cru such as a Morgon, Chiroubles or Brouilly.

    Mini pumpkins stuffed with mushrooms and cheese
    scooping out seeds of mini pumpkins

    Stuffed Mini Pumpkins

    Jill Colonna
    Enjoy stuffed mini pumpkins as a side-dish, a light lunch or main dish. What's more, they're tasty, quick and easy too! Use the recipe base as a guide to your creativity.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Light Lunch, Main Course, Side Dish, Starter
    Cuisine French
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 264 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 mini pumpkins (Jack-be-Little) washed and dried
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 12 mushrooms chopped
    • 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
    • 60 g (2½oz) walnuts (or pre-cooked chestnuts)
    • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (or bacon rashers, chopped)
    • 4 tablespoon crème fraîche half fat (or Greek yoghurt)
    • 2 tablespoon fresh flat leaf parsley finely chopped
    • 100 g (4 tbsp) cheese (Emmental, Comté, Parmesan, or Cheddar) grated (keep half for grilling at the end)
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly milled pepper & pinch fleur de sel or Celtic salt

    Instructions
     

    • Prick each mini pumpkin with a fork underneath and cook them on plate in the microwave for 4-5 minutes. (If you don't have a microwave, then roast them in the oven for about 10 minutes at 200°C/180°C fan/400°F/gas 6.)
    • Set them aside to cool. Meanwhile, in a pan, fry the mushrooms and garlic in a little olive oil (and bacon, if using) for about a couple of minutes or until cooked.
    • Slice off the cooled mini pumpkin tops and scoop out the seeds. (Either discard or toast the seeds later with salt.) This leaves a hollow cavity to fill.
    • Take the mushroom mixture off the heat, adding all the other ingredients (crème fraîche, walnuts/cooked chestnuts and half the cheese) and stuff the mixture into each mini pumpkin cavity.
      (At this point, you can set them aside in advance preparation and simply finish them off in the oven before serving.)
    • Keeping the tops aside for decoration only, place each stuffed pumpkin in a baking dish. Top with the rest of the grated cheese and place under the grill for 5-10 minutes or until golden brown and toasted.

    Notes

    Serve with extra chopped fresh herbs either on their own or with chicken or meat.
    For non vegetarians, add half a chopped rasher of smoked bacon to each mini pumpkin. 
    For vegans: simply replace the cheese and crème fraîche with cooked quinoa or rice and add nuts of your choice for a no-turkey Thanksgiving or Christmas dish.

    This recipe was first published 4 November 2017 but has now been completely updated.

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    Jill Colonna standing in a French patisserie lab holding a giant whisk over an oversized mixer bowl

    Bonjour - I'm Jill

    As a cookbook author and founder of Mad About Macarons since 2010, I’ve spent 30+ years perfecting foolproof French recipes in Paris—so you don’t have to! Expect step-by-step guidance, lower-sugar treats that don’t skimp on flavour, plus insider food and market guides to help you taste France like a local. If I can do it, so can you - no fancy techniques required!

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    1. Ruth B

      October 07, 2024 at 9:51 am

      5 stars
      I made this with 2 mini pumpkins- it was delicious and I will definitely make it again. It was a revelation that you can microwave pumpkin, a great saving of time and energy. I put both in the microwave at the same time and it took about 10 minutes.

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        October 07, 2024 at 10:17 am

        Isn't it fabulously quick in the microwave? Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review, Ruth and glad you enjoy them.

        Reply
    2. Paige

      October 29, 2023 at 2:36 am

      5 stars
      quite tasty! I really enjoyed the vegan suggestions! I think I used the wrong pumpkins, mine never became soft on the outside, but the meal was still tasty!

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        October 29, 2023 at 12:23 pm

        Thanks Paige - you could send me a photo of the pumpkins you made them with just to see what kind you were using (via my contact page if you like). Even yesterday at the market, some French sellers were confused when I was asking for 'Jack-be-Little' pumpkins (showing me gourdes instead, thinking I wanted them for decoration only) Then I found another seller who had tons of them and agreed that they are totally ideal for eating and stuffing!

        Reply
    3. Thomasina

      January 12, 2023 at 5:18 pm

      5 stars
      Now these stuffed mini pumpkins are really different to serve as sides or for lunch. I would also like to dish up the butternut, walnut and mushroom gratin.

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        January 12, 2023 at 7:44 pm

        Thanks Thomasina - yes, they are very versatile for stuffing, aren't they? Cute too. Let me know how you like the gratin.

        Reply
    4. Michele Moreno

      November 21, 2022 at 11:21 am

      5 stars
      Love the recipe. I've done this with cheddar cheese on top and it was delicious.

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        November 21, 2022 at 11:26 am

        So happy you like them, Michele x

        Reply
    5. Jean

      October 30, 2022 at 12:37 pm

      5 stars
      Am not a huge fan of Halloween food and wasn't attracted to these little things but I have changed my mind: thank you Jill

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        October 31, 2022 at 7:01 pm

        So happy to hear that you enjoyed them, Jean!

        Reply
    6. Liz

      November 07, 2017 at 2:27 am

      The only time I've made stuffed pumpkins was for a French Fridays with Dorie post. I remember being wary, but they were quite good! Yours look terrific!

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        November 07, 2017 at 12:31 pm

        Thanks, Liz. I was wary when my veg guy told me how quick they were by throwing them in the microwave but it's brilliant! This year has been a bonus in that mini pumpkins are plentiful, too. Must look out your Dorie post, as I don't have her book.

        Reply
        • Jill Colonna

          November 07, 2017 at 12:51 pm

          Just looked up your Dorie post and it's one big gorgeous pumpkin that she stuffs, taking 2 hours to cook; these are mini as a side-dish, quick to cook and you have your own little pumpkin all to yourself...

          Reply
    7. Tonio

      November 06, 2017 at 12:13 am

      Love the look of this recipe as you can eat everything and nothing is lost

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        November 07, 2017 at 12:28 pm

        That's true, Tonio. And I love it because we can change about the fillings.

        Reply

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    Welcome

    Bonjour - I'm Jill

    As a cookbook author and founder of Mad About Macarons since 2010, I’ve spent 30+ years perfecting foolproof French recipes in Paris—so you don’t have to! Expect step-by-step guidance, lower-sugar treats that don’t skimp on flavour, plus insider food and market guides to help you taste France like a local. If I can do it, so can you - no fancy techniques required!

    Meet Jill

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