Demetra Italian Pumpkin Cream, 550g

Demetra Italian Pumpkin Cream is a ready-to-use savoury crema di zucca from Demetra, a producer from Talamona, in the Valtellina valley of Lombardy, that has supplied Italian chefs and pizzerias for over 35 years. It’s made with 68% pumpkin, gently cooked with onion, leek and a splash of white wine, then blended until smooth and velvety. The flavour is mellow and naturally sweet, with a gentle savoury depth from the onion and leek. In Italy it’s an autumn favourite on pizza, through pasta and spread on crostini.

It’s a handy shortcut to some proper autumn cooking. Spread it over a pizza base in place of tomato, then top with roasted aubergine, dots of ‘nduja and a pile of cool, creamy stracciatella once it’s out of the oven - a combination Demetra’s own chefs use. Loosen it with a splash of pasta water and toss through tortelloni or rigatoni with brown butter and plenty of Parmesan. Stir it into a risotto in the last few minutes for a golden, creamy finish, or spread it thickly on toasted sourdough with gorgonzola and walnuts for an easy aperitivo.

Why we love it:

• 68% pumpkin, cooked with onion, leek and white wine, so it tastes like proper home cooking
  
• Made in Italy by a producer that supplies chefs and pizza makers
  
• Already seasoned and ready to use - no roasting, peeling or blending
  
• Versatile across pizza, pasta, risotto, soup and crostini, all from one jar
  
• A generous 500g jar, enough for several meals

How to use:

• For a quick pasta sauce, warm 250g of the purée in a pan with 4 tbsp of pasta cooking water and a knob of butter. Toss through 320g of cooked pasta and finish with grated Parmesan and crispy sage - serves four
  
• For pizza, spread 3-4 tbsp over each base in place of tomato sauce, then top with mozzarella, sausage or pancetta, and bake as usual
  
• For a fast soup, heat the whole jar with 400ml of vegetable stock, season and finish with a swirl of cream or olive oil

More information:

• Made by Demetra in Talamona, in the Valtellina valley of northern Italy, producing specialist foods for chefs and restaurants for over 35 years
• Store unopened in a cool, dry place. Once opened, keep chilled and use within 3 days
  
• 500g jar, enough for pasta for four with plenty left over
  
• Suitable for vegetarians; not suitable for vegans (contains milk)
  
• Allergens: MILK
  
• Ingredients: Pumpkin (68%), sunflower oil, onion, leek, white wine, potato starch, vegetable fibre, rice flour, salt, sugar, milk proteins, spices, flavourings, yeast extract, acidity regulator: citric acid