Recipe
5 Ways to Eat Pumpkin Every Meal Of The Day
When the leaves turn orange and the air becomes cool, autumn has officially made its grand entrance. The season brings with it distinct flavors that chefs across the country add to their dishes, including the baristas at Starbucks. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar are the most prominent, but they are nothing without fall's most prized ingredient: pumpkin.
In addition to being versatile in its use and festive in its appearance, pumpkin has a variety of health benefits. It is packed with vitamins A, C, and "carotenoids, the compounds that give the gourd their bright orange color, including beta-carotene, which the body converts into a form of vitamin A." It is rich in fiber and potassium, helping to keep you full and energized during long workouts. Pumpkin is fantastic for your skin, too. This veggie is incredibly advantageous, leaving me to wonder why it's almost only consumed in the fall.
If pumpkin is so delicious, why just enjoy it in your limited-edition Pumpkin Spice Latte? It is a readily available ingredient and during its peak season, can be found piled high in supermarkets, at farm stands, and of course in the pumpkin patch. From canned pumpkin to pumpkin puree, to the pulp and seeds themselves, pumpkin in all its forms is a tasty ingredient. Here are ways to eat pumpkin at every meal of the day.
Breakfast
Best for early-risers on the go, this pumpkin pie smoothie can be pre-made before a busy morning and wakes you up with its rich cinnamon spice.
Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 2 mins
- Total Time: 7 mins
- Servings: 1
Ingredients
- 1 banana
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tbsp. almond butter
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
- optional: 1/2 cup ice cubes
- optional: 1 tbsp. vanilla protein powder
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Snack
Vegetable-blended hummus is becoming popular due to vibrant ingredients such as beets and red peppers being added to the dip. Pumpkin hummus causes this protein-packed snack to be a gorgeous shade of orange, which complements the nutty brown color of the multigrain crackers it's served with.
Pumpkin Hummus
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Servings: 5
Ingredients
- 1 15oz can chickpeas
- 2/3 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tbsp. raw maple syrup
- 1 tsp rosemary
- a pinch salt
- 2 tbsp. roasted pumpkin seeds
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Lunch
Step away from your usual salad tossed with pumpkin seeds and try this unique pumpkin sandwich instead!
Pumpkin, Goat Cheese, and Kale Sandwich
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Servings: 1
Ingredients
- 2 bread slices
- 1 tbsp. goat cheese
- 1 tbsp. pumpkin puree
- Fresh kale
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Dinner
This Pumpkin "Fried Rice" is extremely nutritious, especially when made with brown rice. Make two batches so you can have leftovers for lunch the next day!
Pumpkin "Fried Rice"
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Servings: 2
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1/4 cup canned peas
- 1/3 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup chopped butternut squash
- 1/3 cup chopped mushrooms
- Parmesan cheese
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Dessert
Let's face it: dessert is the most important meal of the day. Pumpkin desserts, however, are much more intriguing than a typical slice of cheesecake and will satisfy your fall-flavor craving once and for all.
Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Total Time: 1 hr
- Servings: 12
Ingredients
- 3 ounces store-bought gluten-free graham crackers or sugar cookies
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- One pinch kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
- 12 ounces cream cheese
- 2/3 cup granulated coconut sugar
- 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 pint Heavy cream
- vanilla and sugar to taste
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Pumpkin can be used in a diverse array of dishes and make an appearance during any meal of the day. Now that you know some of my favorite ways to eat pumpkin, try mixing it up in the kitchen this fall by experimenting with seasonal ingredients and you may even come up with your own creative recipes.