Fall is in full swing and that means it is finally time for all things pumpkin! Pumpkin spice lattes. Pumpkin pie. Pumpkin beer. Pumpkin soup. And pumpkin everything else!
I love pumpkin but I hate cooking it. I admit I am lazy and sometimes cheat by buying the canned stuff. Roasting and pureeing a pumpkin is annoying! Still, it is always better to support your local farmers by purchasing their pumpkins and roasting them yourself.
A shot of a pumpkin, focused on its stem. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
One reason pumpkins are so great is that they are versatile. They can be used in sweet or savory dishes and are equally acceptable at breakfast or dinner. Not to mention they are very good for you. And how many foods are you actually encouraged to play with before you eat it? Go get a pumpkin, carve a scary face in it and then throw it in the oven to roast. Don’t forget to save and roast the seeds!
Pumpkins, photographed in Canada. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Recipes:
- Pumpkin Streusel Muffins (Gimme Some Oven)
- Skinny Pumpkin Frappuccino (Sally’s Baking Addiction)
- Pumpkin Mac n Cheese (BHG)
- Almond Butter Pumpkin Brownies (This Primal Life) – I have made these many times. They are delicious and easy and only require 5 ingredients! I made them for a Halloween party and no one could tell they were grain/dairy/refined-sugar free. They are Laura’s favorite fall dessert.
- Bacon & Pumpkin Pasta (Pinch of Yum)
- Pumpkin Peanut Butter Dog Treats (Use Real Butter) – If nothing else, go look at the pictures of her adorable dog!
- Black Bean Pumpkin Soup (Smitten Kitchen)
- Pumpkin Ricotta Gnocchi (Simply Recipes)
- Turkey White Bean Pumpkin Chili (Skinny Taste) – I’ve made this one and it is excellent.
- Pumpkin Chai Latte (Texanerin)
- Toasted Pumpkin Seeds with Chili and Lime (Nourished Kitchen)
Girl Gone Farming 
I LOVE pumpkin dishes!!!
Me, too! You really must try the paleo pumpkin brownies. They are to die for.
That chai recipe looks interesting and easy (considering it would just mean adding a bit of pumpkin to my pre-made concentrate). 🙂 And I’ll bet my sister’s Jack Russell would LOVE those treats for Christmas. (You’re right – the dog is adorable!)
Oh! I could make those treats with my niece Christmas week (always looking for fun things to do together that week) and she can take some to her dad’s extended family when they leave to celebrate with them. How proud will she be to give them something she made? Thanks for the post!
I love this idea! What a fun Christmas activity for you and your niece. How long will you be home with your family?
A week. 🙂