
A Fall Risotto
I love the whole concept of seasonal food, and won’t even eat at a restaurant that serves strawberry salads year around. I’m not kidding. Of course, these days, one can find asparagus in the fall, and tomatoes in the winter. There’s just no guaranteeing that they’re good quality.
To me, it’s more than what grows during the various seasons. There’s a whole aura that comes with the cold stillness of winter, or the sprouting excitement of spring, the full-fledged abundance of summer produce, and the colors, smells, and feelings of the approaching holidays in the fall. I love them all, but fall is my favorite. I love chilly mornings, wearing sweaters, the sound of football on tv and the changing leaves. Mostly, of course, it’s the lovely food of the season.
I always stock up on nuts like hazelnuts and fruits like dried figs and cherries. I start making chutneys, plus terrines and patés. There are more squashes and legumes and the meals become more substantial. By October I’ve already gone through recipes in my holidays folder, getting menu ideas for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Maybe I’ll decide to have a party.
Last year I wrote a recipe post called A Spring Risotto, which involved a lemony goat cheese risotto with peas, topped with grilled salmon and some basil. I loved that it basically screamed “spring!”
Now that it’s fall I’ve created a risotto with pumpkin purée, roasted Brussels sprouts, and Gruyère, topped with Italian sausages. A very easy and delicious dish. And it screams “fall!”
A Fall Risotto
8 ounces Brussels sprouts, medium sized
Garlic-infused oil, or olive oil
2 packages of 5 Italian sausages, or 10 total
1 tablespoon of olive oil
Splash of white wine
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 shallots, diced
1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
1/2 cup white wine
2 3/4 cups chicken broth (approximate)
3/4 cup pumpkin or butternut squash purée
6 ounces grated Gruyere
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Shave the Brussels sprouts using a mandoline and your steel glove, about 1/4” thick. Place them on a baking sheet and sprinkle on the oil, salt, and pepper generously. Roast in the oven until nicely browned, about 6 to 7 minutes, turning once. Set aside and let cool.
Meanwhile, heat the tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausages and brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Add a splash of wine, lower the heat, cover the skillet, and let the sausages finish cooking for about 10 minutes. Keep covered.
Heat a medium-sized pot over medium heat. Add the butter and let melt. Add the shallots and sauté for about 4-5 minutes. Add the rice to the pot and stir it around in the butter and shallots until all the grains are coated. Pour in the white wine. Stir as the rice cooks in the wine and it gradually gets absorbed.
Without letting the rice go completely dry, add some of the broth, about 1/3 cup at a time, and repeat the stirring process, alternating with adding broth and stirring. Turn down the heat if you think the rice is cooking too fast; it’s always best to go slowly.
When the rice is almost fully cooked, stir in the purée and cheese.
Cook for another few minutes, then gently stir in the Brussels sprouts. Let heat through, then season with salt and white pepper to taste.
If necessary, reheat the sausages. To serve, Place risotto in a shallow bowl and top with one or two sausages.
You could always use other sausages, like Merguez or Polska Kielbasa.
I’m totally with you, Mimi – recipes just taste better when they match the season. Like that spring risotto would probably be delicious for dinner tonight, but this fall version is what’s calling to me. Pumpkin risotto is quite delicious, and I love that you added sausage. I need this meal in my life!
Thanks, David. I just love to have fun in the kitchen. And not waste anything.
I’m loving this fall risotto with brussels sprouts and pumpkin! And sausage is a perfect pairing :)
It was really goooooood! The B sprouts weren’t terribly pretty, but I just love them so much.
Looks delicious Mimi! We all love a risotto in our family, and I totally agree with you about cooking and eating with the seasons. Everything just tastes that much better!
It really does. Plus, it’s so much fun, right?!
Oh we love the ritual of it all! It’s one of the first things my grandkids made at the stove, and they really enjoy the process.
No oven risotto for us!!!
I used to teach cooking classes to kids and I always taught them risotto as well! It’s so fun!
This looks fantastic Mimi, I try to be a seasonal cook as much as possible. Here in California we still have local strawberries.
I lived in California for years, so it is funny now that I think of it. I didn’t cook back then! Are they local or from Mexico?
Very nice, I just made some pumpkin favored polenta. Great minds….
Oh yes. I think I have that on the blog as well! Canned purée is so handy!
Your Fall Risotto recipe is the embodiment of the season’s flavors and colors. I appreciate how you’ve created a dish that truly captures the essence of fall. Thank you for sharing this delightful recipe that’s perfect for cozy, chilly evenings.
Thank you for the lovely comment!
this looks substantial and delicious Mimi. We love roasted brussels sprouts in this house. I must give this a go soon even tho it’s Spring and warm already and we’re about to have El Nino for 7 months apparently – eek…
Oh my. Well, it can wait till fall!
I will send this to my son’s partner as there is an abundance of pumpkin where they live in Zeeland. I saw so much unseasonal veggies there as they grow a lot under lights in greenhouses. Something we don’t do here.
Oh thanks! And that really is too bad.
Toujours délicieux, le risotto
Merci!
Me, too!
It doesn’t look terribly pretty, but I don’t care when it comes to roasted B sprouts!
Thank you Angie!
Love a cozy creamy fall risotto with pumpkin and sausage. There is something magical about slow stirring a risotto while drinking a glass of wine that makes any evening perfect.
I enjoy it, too! Many people complain. Weird.
We do get some lovely food in this season don’t we Mimi? I totally agree with what you said. Oh and this risotto looks amazing. I love Italian sausages!
I don’t think I could live without having access to Italian sausage! I love fall food.
Thanks! I love Italian sausage any time of year, actually!
I love all sausages, especially the spicy ones. I can even tolerate plant-based with a good sauce. I don’t make risotto very often – Gene loved it. I have a cookbook just on risottos, I wonder if I still have it? I have cookbooks that are still packed!!!
Oh no! I’m assuming you just moved?
What a delight to even think about risotto with pumpkin! I love what I call “fall flavors,” too, and this dish would be so satisfying. 😉
I love cooking in the fall. Fresh produce is wonderful during the summer months, but fall overall is my favorite season.
Hahahahahaha! That’s funny! I’m sorry about commenting. I wish I knew what to do.
This is a perfect fall risotto. Pumpkin, Brussels sprouts, and sausage sound like a delicious combo. I would be going back for seconds!
It really did turn out wonderfully!
It really worked well together, especially with the roasted Brussels sprouts. I’m certainly ready for cold weather!
What a wonderful recipe for the fall season! Thank you, I have saved it.
You are so welcome!