pumpkin
If you are interested in using pumpkin for more of your healthy meals this fall, why not make your own puree?
This can save money and is the cleanest option since nothing is processed and packaged. It is actually a lot simpler than you might think.
Choosing and Prepping the Pumpkin
Before you get to making your pumpkin puree, you have a few preparation steps to begin with. This starts with selecting the right pumpkin.
Keep in mind you are going to be roasting the pumpkin in the oven after cutting it in half or into quarters, so you need it to be small enough to fit properly. It is better to go with multiple smaller pumpkins than just one massive pumpkin, or it is difficult to cut and roast.
After selecting your pumpkin, cut them in half and remove the pulp and seeds from the center. Keep the seeds in a separate bowl if you intend to roast them later. Continue reading
Pumpkin Coconut Soup
When you begin looking at pumpkin soup recipes, you will notice that there are a lot of variations. Some have just pumpkin puree and seasonings, similar to a tomato soup, while others contain extra spices or veggies. Some pumpkin soups are spicy, while others are savory.
This pumpkin coconut soup is a little on the spicier side since it uses curry flavorings in it, though you can always leave that part out. Another great part about this soup is that it contains no dairy, so it is vegan-friendly.
The main ingredients are pumpkin puree, curry powder, seasonings, coconut oil, coconut milk, and onion. You can also add in some vegetable broth for the liquid portion. Continue reading
When people think of pumpkin and dessert, they often think of a fattening pumpkin pie. While traditional pumpkin pie can often be made with additional ingredients to increase the fat and calories, it is definitely possible to make a healthier version.
Plus, there are also many other amazing healthy dessert recipes that use pumpkin.
Healthier Pumpkin Pie
There aren’t many people who don’t love pumpkin pie in the fall or winter seasons, but unfortunately it is often loaded with sugar, carbs, and fat.
However, you can still make a yummy pumpkin pie that cuts back on those macros and lets you enjoy it without all the guilt. Take your favorite pumpkin pie recipe and just make a few adjustments.
For example, use whole wheat flour for the crust instead of regular white flower, and use pure maple syrup and a sweetener like Stevia instead of regular sugar. This makes a huge difference. Your filling can usually be the same, but increase the health with non-fat milk or nut milk, Greek yogurt, and Stevia instead of sugar. When you add eggs, try to use brown free-range eggs as they are more organic. Continue reading
When you are on a vegan diet, everything you eat is plant-based, meaning your diet is made up of fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, and grains. You may also want to use pumpkin in the fall, as a filling and delicious fruit (yep it’s a fruit!). Don’t miss out on these amazing vegan ideas that use pumpkin as a main ingredient.
Pumpkin Hummus
If you are on a plant-based or vegan diet, you probably have your fair share of hummus. This is great to have in a sandwich or on a burger to replace mayonnaise, and is wonderful to dip your veggies in instead of ranch and other dairy-filled dips. You can also make a special fall version that uses pumpkin in the hummus, turning it into a dip for fruits, veggies, and many other uses.
To make this hummus, you start with chickpeas or garbanzo beans, just like with regular hummus. You will then need some pumpkin puree, tahini, olive oil, and spices like garlic, cumin, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper.
The spices you use will depend on what flavor you are going for and whether you want it to be spicy or not. If you like chickpeas but not hummus, you can easily roast some chickpeas with pumpkin pie spice. Continue reading
