This festive recipe is both visually stunning and easy to make!

Ingredients:

• Pumpkin (about 4 LBS)
• 1½ cup Basmati rice
• 6 TBS butter (melted)
• 1 cup chopped mixed dried fruits (raisins, cranberries, apricots, and dates)
• ½ cup mixed nuts (walnuts, almonds, or your preference)
• 1 Apple (cored and chopped)
• ½ cup water
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp Allspice
• ½ tsp cardamom seeds powder
• 6 TBS honey
• 4 cups water for rice cooking and ½ cup water for filling
• Pinch of salt (or to taste)
• 1 cinnamon stick

Instructions:

1. Wash and dry the exterior of the pumpkin. Cut off the top in a circular shape to use as a lid. Scrape out all stringy fibers and seeds.
2. Mix melted butter and honey together. Brush the inner and outer walls of the pumpkin and save the rest for the rice mixture.
3. In a saucepan on high heat, bring four cups of water to a boil with a good pinch of salt. Add rice, reduce heat to low, and cook for about 10 min. (It should not be fully cooked)
4. Remove rice, drain, and transfer to a deep bowl. Add remaining ingredients and stuff the filling loosely into the pumpkin.
5. Loosely stuff the filling into the pumpkin and pour the 1/4 cup hot water over the top of the filling.
6. Place the pumpkin on a baking sheet. Put the top of the pumpkin back on and bake at 325°F for about 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until soft. Insert a toothpick into the pumpkin to determine tenderness.
7. For a delightful presentation, bring the whole pumpkin to the table and cut into wedges in front of your guests. 🍴🎉
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