8 ways with kūmara

Sweet, versatile, affordable, and packed with goodness, kūmara is a Kiwi kitchen staple for good reason. Whether you prefer the classic orange variety or the golden and purple types, kūmara can do so much more than simply be roasted alongside dinner.

Better yet, kūmara stores well and can be used in everything from savoury meals to sweet treats, making it a fantastic ingredient to add into a variety of dishes!

If you’ve got a few kūmara sitting in the pantry and need some inspiration, here are eight delicious ways to make the most of them.

Create comforting pies and croquettes

Kūmara is a fantastic ingredient for comfort food. Its creamy texture works beautifully in pies, while mashed kūmara can help bind croquettes together.

Try Al Brown’s Smoked Fish Kūmara Pie for a cosy family dinner, or make Kūmara Roast Meat Croquettes to use up leftover roast meat and vegetables.

Make tacos with roasted kūmara

Roasted kūmara adds natural sweetness and hearty texture to tacos. Pair it with crispy chickpeas, fresh salad ingredients and a zingy dressing for an easy meat-free meal.

Try making Roast Chickpea and Kūmara Tacos for a colourful weeknight dinner that’s packed with flavour and uses ingredients you may already have on hand.

Add it to soups and salads

Kūmara brings colour, texture and natural sweetness to both soups and salads.

A bowl of Pumpkin and Kūmara Soup is perfect for cooler days and freezes well for future meals. For something a little different, Kūmara Banana Salad combines sweet and savoury flavours for a fresh, vibrant side dish.

Turn cooked kūmara into flatbreads

Cooked kūmara can be transformed into soft, homemade flatbreads with just a few pantry staples. They’re perfect for wraps, dipping, pizzas or alongside soups and curries.

This Kūmara Flatbread recipe is a brilliant way to use up leftover cooked kūmara before it goes to waste.

Swap corn chips for kūmara nachos

Looking for a fun twist on a family favourite? Thinly sliced kūmara makes a delicious base for loaded nachos. Simply roast the slices until golden, then pile on beans, chilli mix, salsa, cheese and your favourite toppings.

Kūmara Nachos are a great way to use up odds and ends from the fridge while creating a crowd-pleasing meal.

Add it to a warming curry

Kūmara’s natural sweetness works beautifully in curries. It pairs especially well with spices and is an excellent way to use up vegetables that are starting to look a little tired.

The Vege Stalk and Kūmara Curry helps make the most of often-discarded vegetable stalks while creating a nourishing, flavour-packed meal.

Give leftovers a second life in a hash

Got leftover roast vegetables, cooked potatoes or meat in the fridge? A hearty breakfast or brunch hash is the perfect solution.

Our Potato, Kūmara and Beef Hash transforms leftovers into a satisfying meal and proves that yesterday’s dinner can become today’s star dish.

Surprise everyone with dessert

Kūmara isn’t just for savoury dishes. Its naturally sweet flavour makes it ideal for baking and desserts too.

Kūmara Crème Brûlée is a delicious way to showcase kūmara in an unexpected way and might just become your new favourite dessert.

Make every kūmara count

Making the most of kūmara starts with storing it properly. Keep kūmara in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place and avoid storing fresh kumara in the fridge, as cold temperatures can affect its texture and flavour.

From tacos and curries to pies, soups and even desserts, kūmara is one of the most versatile vegetables around. With a little creativity, it’s easy to use every last piece and reduce food waste while creating delicious meals the whole family will enjoy.