With fall in full swing, there is one thing everyone gets excited about — pumpkin spice season. Back in the day, pumpkins only came out around the holidays for pie or for decorating your front porch. Now, it has turned into a movement from the ever-popular pumpkin-spice latte to pumpkin-flavored confections, and even room scents that transport your house into a pumpkin patch.
Pumpkins, however, are full of many health benefits. For example, one cup contains 87% of our daily recommended Vitamin A (a strong antioxidant), which helps benefit our vision and fight infections. As you grocery shop, you might see many pumpkin-flavored foods, but lots of them fall on the sweet end of the spectrum. But for those of you that prefer the savory side of things, here are five ways you can get your pumpkin fix:
- Pepitas: The seeds found in pumpkins, otherwise known as pepitas, come with some of the highest amounts of vitamins and minerals. They often get thrown out during pumpkin prep, but the truth is, they can make a great snack to keep around the house, add to trail mix, or top off a salad. Try them yourself by roasting them in the oven or tossing them into the air fryer with your favorite seasonings.
- Soup: Pumpkin puree isn’t just for pumpkin pie. You can add it to a soup for a pop of color, flavor, and creaminess. Next time you want to try butternut squash soup, why not mix in some pumpkin and carrot for an added nutrient boost!
- One-Pan Meals: We have all been in a situation where dinner is coming up, and we don’t have much time to whip something up. The “one- pan meal” is a favorite because it’s easy to throw together and requires minimal clean-up. For those cool fall nights, try a sheet pan meal with lean sausage, chopped pumpkin, and veggies.
- Pasta: Pumpkin puree is an excellent addition to creamy pasta dishes. It adds beautiful color, nutrients, and fantastic flavor. It pairs well with bacon, sage, walnuts, and spinach. If you want to add additional texture to your dish, try adding chopped roasted pumpkin to the pasta.
- Hummus: Hummus is a simple appetizer dish to make. It’s a fun activity to do with the family as it all goes into the blender, and the flavors are fully customizable. Can you make it with pumpkin? You better believe it! Pumpkin hummus is sure to elevate any appetizer table and guaranteed to be a hit at your next social gathering! Not to mention, hummus is a great high-protein snack any time of day!
