To make mine pumpkin in saor I was inspired by the traditional Venetian recipe for this seasonal side dish, adding a touch of spices and some personal license.
The term “saor” in Venetian dialect means “flavor” and refers to the preservation method with onions and vinegar used by local fishermen to season and flavor fish, in particular “poor” fish such as sardines.
In short, the Venetian equivalent of the Piedmontese carpione. Beyond fish, I have always used this cooking and preservation method for vegetables too. My favorites are the marinated courgettes that Sandra prepared for me. But with the arrival of autumn I wanted to experiment with a seasonal version with the undisputed queen of this time of year.
This is how my recipe for pumpkin in saor was born.
My version of pumpkin in saor
The traditional recipe sees the pumpkin sliced and cooked in the oven, enriched with caramelized red onions, raisins soaked in water and white wine vinegar. The result is a side dish with a delicate sweet and sour taste, ideal with meat and fish main courses, or as an appetizer alongside cheeses and cured meats.
I replaced the cooking in the oven with a quicker one in the pan, I used the white onion and added a chewable part with the almond flakes. I advise you a pumpkin with firm flesh, such as Violina, Delica or Mantovanafor a perfect result.
Some variations for you
You can prepare the pumpkin in saor in advance and store it in the refrigerator for a few days (up to a maximum of 3 if you do not pasteurize the jar). In this way the flavors will be even more marked and intense.
You can customize this recipe in many ways. Using pine nuts instead of almonds, wine instead of vinegar, rosemary instead of bay leaves. And for an even more autumnal and enveloping result, you can also add a star anisea cinnamon stick and a few juniper berries… you’ll smell what a scent!