Pumpkin Mash with Roasted Garlic and Thyme

Smooth pumpkin mash with mellow roasted garlic and fresh thyme. Light yet satisfying, this autumn side dish pairs perfectly with a wide range of mains. Easy to prepare ahead, it reheats beautifully, making it an ideal choice for dinner parties, family meals, or seasonal holiday gatherings.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine British

Diet Vegetarian

Keyword autumn, Winter, winter warmer

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 45

Servings Servings

Calories 125

Author Spooning & Forking

Ingredients

1 Pumpkin 1.5 kg, peeled and cut into large chunks
1 bulb Garlic whole and unpeeled
2 tbsp Olive oil extra virgin
4 sprigs Fresh thyme
40 g Butter unsalted
Sea salt to taste
Black pepper freshly ground, to taste

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 200°C. Place the pumpkin chunks on a baking tray. Slice the top off the garlic bulb to expose the cloves, drizzle with olive oil, and wrap loosely in foil. Place it on the tray alongside the pumpkin.
Roast for 35–40 minutes, turning the pumpkin halfway through, until the flesh is tender and starting to caramelise at the edges. Remove the garlic and pumpkin from the oven.
Transfer the pumpkin to a large saucepan. Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves from their skins directly into the pan. Add the butter and thyme leaves stripped from their sprigs.
Mash with a potato masher for a rustic texture or use a hand blender for ultra-smooth results. Season generously with salt and pepper. If you prefer a looser mash, stir in a splash of warm milk or vegetable stock until it reaches your desired consistency.
Serve warm, garnished with a few extra thyme leaves if you like.

Nutrition