Ingredients

  • 1 12 cups chestnuts
  • 12 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 lb porcini mushroom, trimmed and cut into 1/2 inch pieces (fresh or rehydrated)
  • 1 lb chanterelle mushroom, trimmed and cut into 1/2 inch pieces (fresh or rehydrated)
  • kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 loaf white bread, cut into 3/4 inch cubes (1 lb Pullman-style bread)
  • 1 lb carrot, peeled and diced
  • 2 large onions, finely chopped
  • 8 celery ribs, diced
  • 1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 cups vegetable stock or 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 4 granny smith apples, peeled cored and diced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leave
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage, finely chopped
  • 12 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cheese pumpkin (10 to 12 lbs)

Method

  • Cut a slit in each chestnut, then cook in a pot of boiling water for 20 minutes; drain and once cool enough to handle, peel off and discard shells and inner brown skins.
  • Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium high heat; saute chestnuts, stirring occasionally, until they begin to turn brown; remove with a slotted spoon to a plate and set aside.
  • Add mushrooms to skillet and saute, stirring occasionally, until they release their juices and start to turn golden, about 15 minutes; reduce heat to medium high.
  • Transfer mushrooms to a large bowl and season with salt; add bread crurmbs to the bowl and toss.
  • Heat another 3 tablespoons of oil in the skillet, stir in carrots, onions, celery, sweet potato, and garlic; season with salt and pepper.
  • Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to turn brown, about 10 minutes.
  • Pour in stock and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes more.
  • Transfer to the bowl with the bread and mushrooms; add the chestnuts.
  • Add apples, herbs, and another 3 tablespoons of olive oil; toss well to combine.
  • Season with salt and pepper, then mix in the eggs.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Cut off the top of the pumpkin in about a 5 inch diameter circle; set aside.
  • Scrape out seeds and stringy flesh and discard; rub the inside of the pumpkin with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt and pepper.
  • Spoon in stuffing, replace top, and bake on a rimmed baking sheet until tender (use a skewer to test), 1 1/2 to 2 hours (do not overcook or the sides may split).
  • To serve, use a large spoon and scoop out stuffing with some of the pumpkin flesh.