Pumpkin Timbale; In-Flight Entertainment

I love travel: getting up at 4am; sitting on the tarmac for hours; seeing how multiple airports handle security screening; walking around in my stocking feet in public places; sitting next to a Righteous Complainer for 13 hours....  Travel has such a way of broadening one's experience!

It started out well enough, other than the getting up at 4am part. 

Mon mari dropped me off at the airport in Nante 45 minutes before my flight left - ample time to get checked in, through security, and have a coffee and pan au chocolate.

Lovely flight to Paris; the transfer from CDG to Orly was smooth.  Oh I had been warned in Nantes that the air traffic controllers (a.t.c.) at Orly were striking and causing a few difficulties, but I figured the worst case would be I would have to spend the day in Paris.  Pas mal!

I checked in for my flight at Orly and it was on schedule.  I handed over my luggage and got to the waiting lounge just in time to hear that the a.t.c. had rescinded our departure slot and there would now be a 3 hour delay. 

I would miss my connection in Newark.

I got another coffee and stood in line for the computers, to alert everyone about my change in plans.

Made a few phone calls, sent a few emails, went to the bathroom...  When I came out the lounge was empty.  The a.t.c. had reinstated our departure slot.

I would make my connection in Newark.

Got all settled in on the plane, doors close, flight attendants (f.a.) took their seats.... The pilot announced that the a.t.c. had rescinded our departure slot.  There would be a delay of somewhere between 20 minutes and 3 1/2 hours, give or take...

I would miss my connection in Newark.

But, I was on the plane, the seat was comfortable and my seat-mate appeared quiet. I got out my stack of 'Discover' magazines and settled in for a pleasant read.

That's when I realized that my seat-mate was a Righteous Complainer (R.C.).

I will give you the brief version:

1st:  He complained to the lead f.a. that he was hungry.  The f.a. offered snacks (pretzels).  The R.C. proceeded to explain to the f.a. that a lunch should be available for all of us (passengers) as the crew obviously knew this delay was going to happen.  The f.a. explained that is was a hot lunch and they couldn't prepare it until the plane was in the air.  They continued to explain their respective positions (the R.C.'s based on opinion; the f.a.'s based on fact) for about 20 minutes.

2nd:  The crew got together a little snack: beverages, crackers, pretzels and passed it out.  R.C. refused to have any.  More discussion ensued.

3rd.  3 1/2 hours later we take off.  the R.C. asks the f.a. what he is having for lunch.  The f.a. said, as it was a 'special request' lunch, he would have to check.  R.C. says he doesn't want a special lunch, he just doesn't eat red meat.  The f.a. said that IS a special lunch.  More discussion ensued. 

4th: Lunch is served.  R.C. doesn't eat his salad and refuses the bread.  (Obviously he is so hungry by now that he has deminished mental capacity).  He did note that his salad was the same as mine - not 'special'.  He is finally served his fish and picks at it for 15 minutes.  (While I was enjoying some lovely lamb chops, potatoes Savoyarde and some perfectly done minty carrots)

That covers the first 5 of a total of 12 1/2  hours on that plane.  I won't dwell on it longer.

I did miss my connection in Newark.

As if to compensate me for my forebearance (I allowed R.C. to live) the airline booked me into a lovely room at a rather fancy Marriot (room rate 350.00), at their expense (even though the delay was not their fault). 

24 hours after leaving home I was half way to my destination.

I love travel! 

One of the things I both love and hate about travel is cooking.  I don't cook while visiting family which is a lovely break... But I miss it.

I froze a lot of pumpkin last fall (as well as zucchini). 

Pumpkin, like other winter squashes are low in calories and full of vitamins, like C and E.  They have high levels of antioxidants and carotenesand work to help lower cancer risk, heart disease, cataracts and strokes.  Plus they're naturally low in calories.

One of my favorite ways to add vegetables to our diet is to have them as a first course.  And I love to make timbales: easy to put together; elegant to serve. 

This Weekend Herb Blogging, founded by the lovely Kalyn, of Kalyn's Kitchen, is being hosted by Erin of The Skinny Gourmet.    Check out her gorgeous blog on Monday for all the wonderful recipes from around the world.

Pumpkin Timbales with Shallot/Prosciutto Garnish

1 cup pumpkin
2 tbs crème fraiche
1 egg
nutmeg
Caramelized Shallots and Prosciutto

Butter 2 ramekins and line with buttered parchment or waxed paper. Make 2 more circles and butter one side for the top. Put the egg in a medium bowl and whisk lightly. Add crème fraiche and whisk. Add the pumpkin, nutmeg and stir well to combine. Put the paper circle, buttered side down, loosely on top. Put ramekins into a baking pan (I use a bread pan) with deep sides. Pour hot water into the pan coming half way up the sides of the ramekins. Bake in 400F (200C) oven for 30 minutes, until set - top will be firm. Remove from oven and carefully remove ramekins from hot water. Remove paper. Run a knife around edges of timbales and invert onto small plates. Sprinkle with a bit of Paprika. Garnish with Caramelized Shallots and Prosciutto.

Caramelized Shallots and Prosciutto

3 medium shallots, sliced
2 tsp olive oil
2 slices Prosciutto or Iberian Ham, sliced

Heat 2 tsp olive oil in nonstick skillet over medium-low heat and add shallots. Sauté for 20 minutes, until starting to brown.  Add ham and continue to sauté until nicely browned.

Oh, I made it to Minneapolis this morning...in case anyone is wondering....

Comments

[Mike]

Travel is always such a delight. My best experience was when my wife and I were stuck in an airport overnight on New Year's Eve where our only visitors throughout the night were belligerent drunks and not-quite-all-there homeless folk...all of whom, did not speak English but had a lot to say to me. Funny in retrospect, but a very long night...

I really like what you did with the pumpkin. That sounds like a great first course and they look wonderful.

[Kalyn]

This sounds delicious, but I want to know, when you say "pumpkin" do you mean in the European use of the word (winter squash) or is it what Americans call Pumpkin (what you make Jack-o-lanterns from.)

It sounds like the flight from hell (except for the dinner.) I used to fly every two months from Salt Lake to D.C. for meetings of the national teacher's union, and I did get seated next to a few very annoying people. Maybe no one quite like to the level of this complainer though.

[Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)]

Ugh and double ugh -- we can all share stories of travel nightmares, made worse by RC's who simply cannot go with the flow.

[Ashley]

I've never heard of "timbales" but it looks delicious! I love pumpkin. Sorry to hear you had to deal with that righteous complainer (love the term by the way).

[Pille]

Katie, the pumpkin timbales sound like something I would really enjoy. The flight you described, however, I would hate. I hope my first ever flight to the US this May will be smoother :)

[baking soda]

He didn't elbow wrestle you? How I hate that! Or the "my seat has this function so I am going to use it" and you're not even settled in your chair when you're nose makes connection with the backrest of the seat in front of you...

Timbales sound good!

[Toni]

Katie, you had me falling out of my seat laughing with this post! I have traveled a LOT in my life, and there's often an R.C. on board. Makes you realize that a sense of humor is as important as a passport, n'est pas?

Love the timbales!

[núria]

We all have good stories about trips and planes and delays... It's great to take it with good mood and see the positive side (eventhough, sometimes is so hidden you cannot find it).

The timbale looks great! Enjoy in Minneapolis!!!

[MyKitchenInHalfCups]

With your sense of humor and all the antioxidants and carotene in the timbals, you can survive an RC. What is with people.
The visit should be much more fun than the RC!
Enjoy.

[Erin]

Delicious! i love the idea of pairing pumpkin with the shallots and Prosciutto. I adore pumpkin, can't wait to try this out when I get home.

Your flight story definitely made me laugh. I remember one flight back from Ghana to Chicago where I flew through Lagos Nigeria. I was in the middle seat between a man who was the tallest person I have ever seen with my own eyes, who endeavored to politely fold himself as small as possible, which wasnt very small. On the other side was a rather short man who was convinced he was also quite tall, and so insisted on sprawling all over me. Add to that the narcoleptic woman in front of me who slept fully laid out for 8 hours and well, lets say it was memorable!

[Pam]

Glad you made it despite the strikes and the obnoxious passengers! :-) Have fun at the destination!

[Susan from Food Blogga]

Ugh. I hate the Newark Airport. I think it's a given that everyone misses they're connections there. Jeff and I once slept over in that airport. That was fun! But I do love these pumpkin timbales. So pretty and unique!

[Betty C.]

Last year flying from Toulouse to Seattle we only got as far as Frankfurt and missed our connection because the plane had left late from Toulouse. We were sure we could get out the same day -- but in fact we could only get as far as Boston! That said, the Boston airport Hilton is a lovely place and we enjoyed having a break on that long journey home.

[Laurie Constantino]

At least you kept your sense of dark humor. The timbales sound wonderful - and a great way to use leftover squash..

[Michelle]

You should be sainted for not killing R.C.

Welcome back to the States... the timbales look and sound wonderful!

[Krissi]

I love this use for pumpkin! Your ideas are varied and creative. I would like to introduce my friends to the use of fresh ingredients, keeping things simple and tasty! I really like the idea of serving vegetables as a first course. I hope to expose many moms to that idea!!

[Cymry]

I have a flight scheduled out of Newark this April LOL In such situations, it is always best to have a sense of humour and look at the bright side...which you did!

The pumpkin timbale looks gorgeous; you always create such unique dishes. Will definitely try out this recipe and the zucchini soup. I am still counting 9 pumpkins and acorn squash still alive and doing well from the August/September harvest (along with a few jars of home-canned pumpkin) and there's several bags of zucchini and yellow summer squash in the freezer.

[Deb]

Ah yes, the wonderful world of travel these days. It used to be so simple, what happened???? Glad you made it safe and sound Katie! I just got back to my computer from a week of with visiting family and friends - it is good to be back! Have fun in the states and I wish you were going to be close to Florida!

[breadchick]

Katie, welcome to my weekly life! I have never made it to or left Newark on time. Oh, and I had those lamb chops and they are very nice aren't they. Sorry you had my normal seatmate. I'll send you my noise canceling headset next time.

Enjoy your stay!

[katie]

Mike, OMG! Yes, some of these things take years before they;re 'funny'!

Kalyn, it would be like an American 'pie pumpkin' or cooking pumpkin. From what I understand the jack-o-lantern pumpkins really have no flavor anymore. But it is a winter squash ;-))

Lydia, Isn't that the truth!!!

Ashley, kind of like 'turned out' puddings ;-))

Pille, I hope so too! First ever? You picked a nice time to travel...unlike some people (cough, cough)

Baking Soda, he did put his DVD player on the arm rest so I had to lift my wine over the top...but by then I HAD wine so....

Toni, I'm actually glad mon mari was not with me.... His sense of humour is, um, sometimes lacking on these long flights.

Nuria, and they're always funnier after the fact!

Tanna, I agree! And he acted as if he was speaking on behalf of the entire plane...yeah, right!

Erin, I can picture it....Poor, poor, you!!!!

Thanks, Pam. I'm hoping for warmer weather!

Susan, I'm trying not to worry about my return connection....stupid woman, traveling in winter!

Laurie, I still have lots in my freezer - must get creative.

Michelle, he has no idea how lucky he truly was!

Krissi, I like serving veg as a starter - helps getting the 5 a day...and I can be so much more creative than when it's a side dish!

Cymry, lucky you with all the still alice... And good luck with that trip - that's for the wedding, right?

Deb, you have no idea how much I would like to be close to Florida!

Breadchick, I'm getting headsets - even if they only plug into my purse...

[Gilli]

Hi katie your story is why I love to travel wiht my husband I don't have to sit next to a dork...The FA should have given him a good stiff drink he might have relaxed.
That usually works. Hope you enjoyed you unexpected stay in the hotel...a bonus.
Hey nice little flan.
Cheers

[katie]

Gilli, yeah, when mon mari comes along at least I know my seatmate... and get my share of the arm rest hahaha!

[mimi]

Katie, you need to write a travel tipbook. Really, I think it would be a bestseller.

[Jeanne]

Oh I feel your pain! Many a time I've stood in security at Heathrow Airport, with aching shoulders from carrying/dragging my suitcase around the Tube network for the 2 hours or so it takes to get from my house to Heathrow; with my trousers falling down because I've had to take my belt off; with my smelly-but-comfy trainers in my hand; and looking forward to a long and probably overbooked flight home to South Africa. The glamour of travel!

The pumpkin timbales look gorgeous, btw!