Pumpkin Risotto alla Alessi

Slow Stirred, Softly Autumn

Risotto rewards patience the way few dishes do. There is something almost meditative about standing at the stove, ladle in hand, coaxing warmth and creaminess from a slow, unhurried process. This version belongs to the quieter side of autumn — the part that isn't about spectacle, but about settling in. Pumpkin folds into the rice with a gentleness that feels almost inevitable, deepened by a whisper of nutmeg and the earthy perfume of sage. It is the kind of bowl that asks you to stay a little longer at the table.

Ingredients

• 5 cups chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons Alessi Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 shallot, finely minced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 1/2 teaspoons Alessi Sea Salt
• 1/2 teaspoons Alessi Whole Black Peppercorns
• 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon sage, minced
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1 1/2 cups Alessi Arborio Rice
• 15 ounces (1 can) pumpkin purée
• 1/2 cups Grana Padano cheese, grated
• toasted pumpkin seed oil, drizzle for garnish
• shaved Pecorino Romano, for garnish
• fried sage leaves, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat chicken stock in a large pot. Season with a pinch of salt.
2. In a heavy-bottomed large pot, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and olive oil.
3. Stir in shallot, garlic, salt, black pepper, nutmeg and sage.
4. Cook until shallots are translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
5. Pour in white wine and stir in the Arborio rice.
6. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until rice becomes slightly translucent and most of liquid has evaporated.
7. Begin adding hot stock to rice, one ladle at a time, stirring constantly as liquid absorbs.
8. Continue adding liquid as it evaporates, repeating process until creamy and cooked al dente, about 18 minutes.
9. When ready, stir in pumpkin puree, and grated Grana Padano cheese.
10. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until all ingredients are heated through.
11. Taste and season with salt and pepper, as desired.
12. Spoon into serving bowls and garnish with toasted pumpkin seed oil, shaved Pecorino Romano, and fried sage leaves.