Pumpkins
can be used for more than just making a spooky Jack-O-Lantern for your
front porch. They actually contain tons of vitamins, minerals and
potassium that can easily be added to any meal. Here are some fun and
delicious ways to eat pumpkins this season.
Toasted morsels
After carving your pumpkins with family or friends, save those seeds to
bake for a healthy snack. Wash off the pumpkin strings goop off and dry
them with a paper towel. Then, lay them out on a cookie sheet, sprinkle
them with olive oil, sea salt or a thin layer of brown sugar and bake at
350º till crispy and golden, about 10-12 minutes. They’re delicious as
an after school snack or mixed in a salad, yogurt or added to trail mix.
Creamy and spreadable
Mix cream cheese with pumpkin puree for a creamy spread (hint—use the
canned stuff, it’s quicker!). Spread on a bagel for breakfast or on a
peanut butter sandwich for lunch, the orangey spread will spice up your
meals and get you in the fall spirit.
Savory chili
Skip the beef and whip up a vegetarian chili, complete with pumpkin
cubes. Saute the squash in a bit of olive oil with the onions and garlic
at the bottom of the pot before adding in the other ingredients, then
follow your recipe as usual. You’ll get delicious texture and color (and
tons of filling fiber), and will hardly miss the meat, promise.
BY ANA D’AMBROGI ON 10/19/2011 10:00:00 AM
POSTED IN recipes, healthy recipes, fall recipes, vegetarian recipes, health, nutrition, recipes, halloween, recipes