Awesome Pumpkin Beef Stew

Directions

In a 4-quart Dutch oven, brown beef in butter.

Add onion and celery; sauté until browned.

Stir in 4 cups water, the salt, thyme, and pepper.

Heat to boiling.

Cook covered 1 hour.

Cut 2 inches off the top of the pumpkin.

Trim the rim of pumpkin bottom to form points; scoop out seeds.

Peel top and trimmings; cut into 1 inch cubes; add to beef after 1 hour.

Cook 30 minutes longer or until tender.

Heat oven to 350℉ (180℃).

Bake pumpkin shell 20 mins.

Stir flour into 1 cup water; add stew with peas.

Cook, stirring until thickened; spoon into shell and serve.

Note: Do not place pumpkin on direct heat.