PUMPKIN STEW BAKED IN A PUMPKIN

[Kitchen Witch]

PUMPKIN STEW BAKED IN A PUMPKIN

1 10-12 lb. pumpkin
2 lb. beef stew meat
2 T. oil
1 bell pepper
1 onion
4 medium potatoes
3 carrots
2 cloves garlic
2 stalks celery
1 can (15 oz.) diced tomatoes
2 - 3 c. water
Salt and pepper to taste

Carve a hole in the top of the pumpkin and remove seeds, and stringy insides. Set pumpkin aside. In a dutch oven brown 2 lbs of stew meat in oil. Add in 1 bell pepper (sliced into inch thick slices), 1 onion (sliced), 4 medium potatoes (cubed), 3 carrots (cubed), 2 cloves of garlic (diced), 2 sticks of celery (sliced), 1 - 15 oz can of diced tomatoes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add 2 - 3 cups of water. Let simmer for 1 hour. Place pumpkin in shallow pan, and place stew inside pumpkin. Brush the outside of the pumpkin with a light coating of oil. Bake pumpkin and stew at 350* F. for 2 hours, or until pumpkin is tender. Serve while hot. Be sure to get chunks of pumpkin in your stew, as they enhance the flavor of the stew.