CORN CHOWDER IN MINIATURE PUMPKIN SHELLS

4 mini-pumpkins or Carnival, Sweet Dumpling, or Acorn squashes (3/4 to 1-1/4 pounds each)
1 slice bacon, diced
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 cup chicken broth
Boiling water
1 cup corn kernels
3/4 cup milk
Flat-leaf parsley leaves, for garnish (optional)

With a small sharp knife, cut wide tops out of the pumpkins to make bowl-shaped shells. Scrape out and discard seeds and stringy pulp. Trim all but 1/4 inch of meat from tops. Using a knife and soup spoon, cut and scrape out some of the pumpkin meat, leaving a 3/8-inch-thick shell. Shells should have about a 3/4-cup capacity.) Chop the pumpkin meat and set aside.

STOVE-TOP DIRECTIONS:
Saute the bacon in a saucepan for 3 minutes, or until crisp. Remove the bacon and set aside.

Add the onion and chopped pumpkin meat to the saucepan. Saute over medium heat until tender, about 10 minutes.

Stir in the flour and chili powder, then the chicken broth. Cook for 5 minutes more, or until the pumpkin is very soft.

Meanwhile, pour boiling water into the pumpkin shells to warm them.

Mash the pumpkin mixture with a fork to a coarse puree. Add the corn and milk. Continue to cook until thoroughly heated.

Empty and dry the pumpkin shells. Fill with the chowder. Sprinkle the bacon on top and garnish with parsley, if desired. Serve at once.

MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS:
Place the bacon in a 2-quart microwave-safe dish. Microwave at "high" (100%) for 1 minute and 45 seconds to 2 minutes, or until crisp, stirring twice. Remove the bacon and set aside.

Add the onion and chopped pumpkin meat to the dish. Cover with the lid or vented heavy-duty plastic wrap and microwave at "high" for 2 minutes, or until soft.

Stir in the flour and chili powder, then the chicken broth. Microwave, covered, at "high" for 5 minutes, or until the pumpkin is very soft.

Meanwhile, pour boiling water into the pumpkin shells to warm them.

Mash the pumpkin mixture with a fork to a coarse puree. Add the corn and milk. Microwave at "high" for 1 to 2 minutes, or until thoroughly heated.

Empty and dry the pumpkin shells. Fill with the chowder. Sprinkle the bacon on top and garnish with parsley, if desired. Serve at once.

Makes 4 servings
Adapted from source: Zucchini, Pumpkins and Squash by Kathleen Desmond Stang