Neapolitan Pork-Pumpkin Stew

In most of Italy, pumpkin is a much-loved autumn vegetable savored in fancy restaurants as well as in simple country fare like this stew.

PREP TIME: 45 minutes

FUNCTION: Sauté (Normal/More); Pressure/Manual (High)

CLOSED POT TIME: 20 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 1 hour 5 minutes

RELEASE: Quick

SERVES: 6

• 6 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 pound pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 fennel bulbs, trimmed and coarsely chopped, fronds reserved
• 4 cups 1½-inch cubes of culinary pumpkin* or butternut squash
• 1 cup dry ditalini pasta, macaroni, or mini penne
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

PREP

Select sauté and adjust to normal. Add bacon to pot. Cook and stir until bacon is crispy, about 6 to 8 minutes. Press cancel. Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Remove all but about 1 tablespoon bacon fat from the pot.

Select sauté and adjust to more. Brown pork cubes, half at a time, on all sides in the drippings. As pork cubes brown, remove to a plate with a slotted spoon and set aside.

When all pork is browned, add garlic to the pot. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute or until golden. Press cancel. Add ¼ cup of the chicken broth. Scrape bottom and sides of pot to loosen browned bits.

Add remaining chicken broth, fennel, pumpkin, and pasta to pot. Stir in the reserved pork and accumulated juices, crushed red pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper. Secure the lid on the pot. Close the pressure-release valve.

COOK

Select manual and cook at high pressure for 1 minute. When cooking is complete, use a quick release to depressurize (there may be some spattering out of the top of the pot).

SERVE

Let stew stand for 3 to 4 minutes before serving. Top with coarsely chopped fennel fronds and crisped bacon.

*Tip: Culinary pumpkins are smaller than decorative pumpkins and have sweet, dense flesh. You’ll find them in the produce section of the supermarket—not in bins outside of the store.