Broiled Scallop Gratin with Pumpkin

This Broiled Scallop Gratin with Pumpkin is a lighter, seasonal take on the classic Coquilles St. Jacques, and is made with sea scallops cooked in a creamy pumpkin sauce.

Pumpkin Broiled Scallop Gratin

Do you have a favorite restaurant?  I probably have about ten favorites (I can’t choose!), but my favorite “fancy date night” restaurant is a little French place downtown.

It’s where the husband proposed, and it’s where we’ve gone each year (so far) for our anniversary.  And that is where I first tasted the French dish Coquilles St. Jacques.

Have you tried Coquilles St. Jacques?  It’s a rich, buttery and creamy scallops dish.  Sometimes you’ll find it baked, sometimes broiled, but it is ALWAYS decadent.

In fact, it’s so buttery and creamy, that it might– just possibly– be a little too decadent.  (Is that possible?  My waistline tells me that yes, yes it is.)

This autumn take on the rich and creamy dish is healthier and lightened up, with nutrient-rich pumpkin and no cream.

Don’t worry though– your taste buds won’t know there’s no cream, because the PUMPKIN THICKENS THE MILK!  This Pumpkin Broiled Scallop Gratin still feels decadent, and puts the spotlight on the sea scallops and pumpkin sauce.

Buying High Quality Scallops

For this gratin to be as luscious as possible– use sea scallops and not bay scallops.  (Bay scallops are the tiny scallops– you want the big ones instead.)  The sea scallops will give this dish a silky texture that will contrast nicely with the crunchy top and the smooth, creamy sauce.

Shopping Tip: Some scallops have chemical additives that can affect the flavor of the finished dish.  Get shopping tips in this How to Pan-Sear Fish post.

Making Pumpkin Broiled Scallop Gratin

To make Pumpkin Broiled Scallop Gratin, start by patting your sea scallops dry and then tossing them in a little salt.  Set them in the fridge until you’re ready for them.

Next, sauté a sliced shallot in butter, and then brown a few sliced button mushrooms in the same pan.  Divide the shallot and mushroom slices between two ramekins.  (Don’t have ramekins?  You can also use a shallow casserole dish.)

Add a little more butter to the same pan, let it melt, and then add some milk.  Whisk and combine the two, and then whisk pumpkin into the mixture.  Season to taste with salt, cayenne, and nutmeg.

Pull the scallops out of the fridge, and divide them among the ramekins.  Pour the sauce in the ramekins, covering the sides (but not the tops) of the scallops.  Top everything with a little freshly ground parmesan, and broil until the tops are golden brown.

Serve this healthy Pumpkin Broiled Scallop Gratin with some crusty bread to soak up the sauce, and something light and fresh like a green salad.

Quick Tip: Make sure you’re using Freshly Grated Parmesan, because the pre-grated parmesan includes stabilizers that will keep it from melting as easily.

Pumpkin Broiled Scallop Gratin

Want more SCALLOPS?  Try these:

• Scallop Pasta Recipe: Scallop Fra Diavolo
• Grilled Scallops with Bourbon Sauce
• Seared Scallops with Wine Sauce

Want more PUMPKIN?  Try these:

• Seafood Alfredo with Scallops + Pumpkin
• Cod Curry with Pumpkin

5 from 6 votes

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Broiled Scallop Gratin with Pumpkin

Recipe easily doubles or triples, and can also be made in a shallow baking dish instead of ramekins, without altering the cook time.  This gratin is rich and creamy, and pairs well with something lighter such as a green salad.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Servings 2 people

Calories 275 kcal

Author Champagne Tastes

Ingredients

• 6 oz sea scallops (3-5 per person, depending on the size of scallops)
• 2 tsp salt, divided
• 2 TB butter, divided
• 1 shallot, or sub 1/2 onion, thinly sliced
• 3 button mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup pumpkin purée
• 1/2 tsp ground cayenne
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• (Optional): 2-3 fresh chives, diced, to garnish
• (Optional) Serve with: crusty bread, a green salad

Instructions

1. Pat scallops dry and toss with about half the salt.  Set scallops in the refrigerator until you're ready to use them.

2. In a large stainless steel pan, heat 1 TB butter over medium heat.  When the butter is melted, but before it begins to brown, add the sliced shallot.  Sauté 2-3 minutes, or until the shallots begin to brown.

3. Push shallots to the edge of the pan (or remove shallots and reserve them), and add sliced mushrooms.  Sauté mushrooms until they're browned, about 4 minutes.

4. Remove mushrooms and shallots, and divide between two ramekins.  Set aside.

5. Add remaining 1 TB butter to the pan, and lower heat to medium low.  Whisk in milk, and then whisk in the pumpkin.  Continue to whisk or stir until the sauce is smooth and creamy (about 1 minute).  

6. Season the sauce to taste with salt, cayenne, and nutmeg.  (Make sure to actually taste the sauce-- if it tastes bland, add a little more salt.  If you want it a little spicier, add more cayenne or nutmeg.)  Remove the sauce from the heat.

7. Move an oven rack to the top of your oven, and turn on the broiler.

8. Set scallops in the ramekins, on top of the mushroom and shallot mixture.  Pour the pumpkin sauce into the ramekins, covering the SIDES of the scallops, but not the tops.

9. Divide the Parmesan on top of both ramekins.  Set ramekins on a baking sheet, and then slide it onto the top oven rack under the hot broiler.

10. Broil the scallops for 5-7 minutes until the cheese has turned golden and is bubbling.  (Watch the scallops carefully after about 5 minutes-- you want them golden, not burnt.)

11. Allow the ramekins to cool slightly, top with fresh chives (if desired) and serve your broiled scallop gratin while it's still hot.  

Recipe Notes

Nutrition Facts

Broiled Scallop Gratin with Pumpkin

Amount Per Serving

Calories 275 Calories from Fat 153

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 17g 26%

Saturated Fat 10g 50%

Cholesterol 65mg 22%

Potassium 455mg 13%

Total Carbohydrates 12g 4%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Sugars 5g

Protein 18g 36%

Vitamin A 110.1%

Vitamin C 3.5%

Calcium 23%

Iron 6.4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.