- 1 whole (10 pound) Cinderella pumpkin
- 1 (16 ounce) package kielbasa sausage, sliced into 1/2 inch pieces
- 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery ribs, chopped
- 1 large onion, peeled and chopped
- 3 cloves garlic – minced, or amount to taste
- 2 cups parsnips, peeled and cubed (optional)
- 2 cups rutabagas, peeled and cubed (optional)
- 2 cups cabbage, coarsely chopped (optional)
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 head broccoli, cut into florets
- 2 zucchini, cut into chunks
- 1 1/2 cups canned or frozen corn
- 2 (13.75 ounce) cans chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked white or brown rice (optional)
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 1/2 (1.25 ounce) envelope dry onion soup mix
- 1/2 (1 ounce) packet dried Italian seasoning
- salt and ground black pepper to taste
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with foil.
- Cut around the top of the pumpkin to make a lid. Use a large metal spoon to scoop out the inside membrane and seeds.
- Place the pumpkin on the prepared baking sheet, and place in the preheated oven. Cook for 1 hour, then lower heat to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
- Meanwhile, place the sausage in a deep pot over medium-high heat. Cook until evenly browned, turning frequently, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in the carrots, celery, onion, and garlic; cook and stir until translucent and tender, about 5 minutes. If desired, stir in the parsnips, rutabaga, and/or the cabbage; cook until the vegetables are almost ender, about 5 minutes. Add the red and green peppers, broccoli, zucchini, and corn. Pour in the chicken broth, add the rice, and cook 5 minutes more. Stir in the parsley, red pepper flakes, onion soup mix, and Italian seasoning. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Keeping the pumpkin on the baking sheet, spoon the vegetable-sausage mixture into the pumpkin, and replace the lid. Loosely cover the pumpkin with aluminum foil.
- Cook the pumpkin in the preheated oven until the flesh is tender, about 4 hours. Scoop some of the pumpkin flesh away from the sides to combine with the vegetable mixture. To serve, place the pumpkin on a serving platter, and remove the lid to ladle out the contents.