The Star Holiday Recipe: Scallop and Pumpkin Risotto

No more conventional Christmas starters. Culinary influencer Clémentine Vaccon (@clemfoodie) reveals a game-changing alternative: a pumpkin risotto elevated by scallops. A dish that ticks all the boxes to impress your guests without complicating your life in the kitchen.

“For the holidays, it’s an easy dish to make that appeals to the greatest number of people! Plus, you can vary the vegetables used according to your taste!” says the blogger. Exit the stress of overly technical preparations: this risotto focuses on accessibility without sacrificing elegance. Leeks, butternut, or other winter squashes can replace the pumpkin according to your preferences.

But why does Clémentine Vaccon specifically favor pumpkin? “I chose pumpkin here; the cooking is faster than butternut squash and I find it more melting as well,” she explains. A strategic choice that allows for that perfect creamy texture to welcome seared scallops. The thin, edible skin of the pumpkin even avoids the tedious peeling step.

This preparation shakes up the rules while respecting the festive spirit: it transforms a noble shellfish into a generous main course, whereas tradition often confines it to refined starters.

The Secrets to a Perfectly Melting Pumpkin Risotto

For two people, the precision of quantities makes all the difference: 350g of pumpkin cut into small pieces, 110g of special risotto rice, one minced onion. This meticulous cutting of the pumpkin is not accidental: it synchronizes its cooking time with that of the rice, guaranteeing a homogeneous and melting texture.

The technique starts with the essentials: a nice drizzle of olive oil heated over medium heat. The onion is sautéed for two minutes before welcoming the rice for an additional minute. Deglazing with white wine then transforms the grains into pearly beads. The pumpkin joins the preparation, immediately covered with vegetable broth.

Then begins the crucial phase: twenty minutes of simmering where the broth is added gradually, ladle after ladle, as soon as it is almost entirely absorbed. Count on 60 to 70 cl in total. “The risotto is cooked when the pumpkin is melting and mashes just by stirring the risotto, and when the rice is al-dente,” specifies Clémentine Vaccon.

This double cooking indicator eliminates any risk of error: the squash must disintegrate under the spoon while the rice retains that slight resistance to the bite. While the risotto reaches this creamy perfection, another pan is about to reveal the true highlight of the recipe.

The Secret Tip for “Incredible” Scallops

A few minutes before the risotto is finished, a second pan comes into play. The oil-butter mixture heats over high heat until foaming, a signal that the temperature is optimal. A dozen scallops, salted and peppered, then join the burning surface for two to three minutes per side. Not a second more: beyond that, the delicate flesh hardens and loses its characteristic melting texture.

It is precisely at this moment that Clémentine Vaccon reveals her secret: “The little extra? I deglaze the scallops with white balsamic vinegar; that little caramelized taste is just incredible.” This final touch transforms the classic browning into a subtly caramelized crust, where the acidity of the vinegar enhances the natural sweetness of the scallops without weighing them down.

Plating focuses on simplicity: the creamy risotto fills the plates, and the scallops are placed delicately on top. A final adjustment of seasoning if necessary, then fresh dill is sprinkled over the whole for its fresh and aniseed notes. This perfect textural alliance between the creamy smoothness of the pumpkin and the caramelized crunch of the scallops illustrates the full versatility of this winter shellfish.

This deglazing technique reveals why the scallop remains the undisputed star of holiday tables.

The Scallop, the Essential Star of Winter

Winter marks the peak season for scallops, a period when their quality reaches its zenith. This natural calendar explains their omnipresence on festive tables: their flesh is then at its gustatory optimum, firm and sweet, while their availability guarantees more accessible prices than in the off-season.

Beyond their traditional prestige in refined starters, these scallops reveal an often underestimated versatility. Their delicate flavor pairs with a wide range of ingredients – citrus, root vegetables, winter squashes – without ever being dominated. This adaptability transforms classic preparations like risotto into exceptional dishes, proving that luxury can reside in simplicity.

Contrary to popular belief, cooking them requires no complex technique. A few minutes are enough to obtain pearly flesh, provided the indicated times are respected. This technical accessibility democratizes a noble product: no more need for elaborate sauces to enhance it; a generous creamy base – celery puree, leek fondue, or pumpkin risotto – is enough to create the perfect balance.

This alliance between quality requirements and ease of execution makes the scallop much more than a symbol of the holidays: a true culinary asset for celebrating winter on any occasion.