Mexicali Beef Stew in Pumpkin Shell
By: Administrator
Updated: June 22, 2010
1 to 2 T vegetable oil
2 large onions, chopped 4 cloves garlic, crushed
4 C beef stock
1 C mild or medium salsa or picante sauce
2 medium zucchini cut 1/4" slices
4 tsp. cornstarch, dissolved in 1/4 cup water
2 small tomatoes, each cut into 8 wedges
1 can (2 1/4 oz) sliced ripe olives, drained
1 pumpkin, 5-6 lbs.
In Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add Beef, onions and garlic-- 1/2 at a time-- and brown beef evenly. Pour off drippings. Add stock and salsa or picante sauce. Return Beef and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover tightly and simmer 1-1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Add zucchini to pan and continue cooking, covered, 10 minutes or until Beef is tender. Stir in cornstarch mixture, cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened and bubbly. Stir in tomatoes and olives. Remove from heat, let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Ladle into Pumpkin Shell Tureen.
Pumpkin Shell Tureen:
While stew is cooking, prepare Pumpkin Shell
Tureen. Cut top off 5-to 6-lb. pumpkin and scrape out fibers and seeds.
Approximately 10 minutes before serving, pour boiling water into pumpkin; cover
and let stand. Drain before serving.
Courtesy:National Cattlemen's Beef Association
