Baked Pumpkin Tortellini are easy and quick to prepare.
Tortellini
Tortellini are fresh egg pasta filled with a mixture of beef, pork, and cheese; ideally, they should be homemade, but I haven’t tried yet. Anyway, I avoid the packaged ones and buy them from a trusted pasta shop.
Since the protein and fat components of the meal are included with the carbohydrates in the tortellini themselves, they are a complete meal that combines the characteristics of a balanced meal in one course, so it will be sufficient to dress them with a simple sauce.
Additionally, since they are fresh pasta, the fiber content is low, so it’s good to consume them after a generous serving of vegetables.
For all these reasons, tortellini are certainly not an option to be consumed often but a little indulgence to enjoy every now and then.
Let’s get back to our baked tortellini or baked tortellini.
Light and without béchamel [or try the fake béchamel].
I seasoned them with pumpkin and baked them with grated cheese.
They are perfect for holidays and Sundays.
They can be prepared in advance, which will help you a lot when you have guests at the table, especially if there are many dishes to prepare.
PUMPKIN AND DIABETES
Pumpkin glycemic index
All types of pumpkin → GI 75.
Besides the glycemic index, it’s essential to consider the glycemic load, which is determined by the quantity of food consumed.
Pumpkin has a high glycemic index but a low glycemic load.
– Can people with diabetes eat pumpkin?
– People with diabetes can eat pumpkin!
In cases of hyperglycemia, prediabetes, and diabetes, pumpkin can be consumed without exceeding the portions.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Medium
- Preparation time: 5 Minutes
- Portions: 2 People
- Cooking methods: Boiling, Electric oven
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- tortellini (quantity according to dietary plan)
- 7 oz pumpkin (pulp)
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch mixed peppercorns (with grinder)
- to taste tomato sauce (homemade)
- to taste chopped parsley (or rosemary)
- to taste grated cheese (grana or parmesan)
Suggested Tools
- 1 Chopper or Mixer
- 1 Spatula silicone
- 1 Saucepan 5.5 inches diameter
- 1 Baking dish
Preparation
Clean the pumpkin.
Remove the skin.
Cut the pulp into coarse pieces, weigh 7 oz and chop.In a small saucepan, pour:
• the chopped pumpkin;
• a pinch of salt;
• a pinch of pepper;
• a couple of tablespoons of tomato sauce;
• chopped parsley [or rosemary];
and sauté, stirring repeatedly until the water released by the pumpkin has evaporated.Cook the tortellini [one minute less, so about 4 minutes instead of 5, until they float], rinse them under running water gently, and drain.
Pour the tortellini into the saucepan with the pumpkin and mix.
Prepare a baking dish.
Pour the pumpkin tortellini into the dish.
Top with a generous sprinkle of grated cheese and grind some pepper.Bake at 350°F in a fan-assisted oven for 10 minutes + 5 minutes grill function until a crispy crust forms on the surface.
Plate up.
Your Baked Pumpkin Tortellini are ready.
Enjoy your meal!
Various Tips
In case of guests and many dishes to manage, for convenience, you can prepare your tortellini in advance and then reheat them in the oven.
My trick, to avoid the pasta surface from drying out in the oven, is to distribute a few tablespoons of tomato sauce on the surface before reheating.As suggested by Professor Enzo Bonora
It’s important to build an experience about the impact of this and other foods on blood sugar, especially in the presence of diabetes. This means measuring before and two hours after eating. Possibly more than once for more reliable information. If the glycemic increase is contained [less than 50 mg], you can put a ‘green sticker’ on that type of food. Otherwise, it’s better to avoid it.
Notes
Hyperglycemia, prediabetes, and diabetes.
Here you find dedicated recipes.
Remember:
• start the meal with a generous portion of vegetables [raw or cooked];
• a balanced meal should contain all nutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, fats & fibers;
• always prepare it respecting the proportions and food combinations indicated in your dietary plan.
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FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How many grams of tortellini per person?
Consider 100-120 g of tortellini per person if served as a main course.
Reduce to 80 g if there are multiple courses.How to substitute tortellini?
You can substitute tortellini with another type of fresh stuffed pasta with meat, such as raviolini.
