10 ways to use a can of pumpkin

Pumpkin, spice and everything nice, that’s what Octobers are made of! We can’t ignore that pumpkin is all around us in the fall. And while autumn technically starts in September, it seems like the official time for fall is October. And fall is when we celebrate all things pumpkin. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread and pumpkin cheesecake may come to mind when you think of how to use pumpkin, but there are many other ways to use it. Here are a few:

• Stir into your oatmeal. Add some pumpkin spice and nuts and you’ve got a healthful breakfast.
• Add to your morning smoothie.
• Make pumpkin chili or stir into a curry – pumpkin goes well with spicy flavors.
• Add to a creamy vegetable soup for added color and nutrition.
• Mix with honey or maple syrup to make an easy pumpkin “butter.”
• Mix into mashed potatoes for extra sweetness. Can be used to top shepherd’s pie.
• Add to mac ‘n’ cheese to sneak in a vegetable.
• Add to bread pudding for a seasonal take on this homey dessert.
• Use in place of butternut squash in recipes calling for it to be pureed – think soup!
• Make pumpkin hummus with spiced chips – see the video above!

BONUS: if you cook a pumpkin from scratch, you can also roast the seeds, which are tasty on their own or as a salad topping.

No matter how you use it, pumpkin is a great addition to your fall recipes. One cup has only 49 calories, virtually no fat, 12 grams of carbohydrates, 3 g of fiber, and 2 g of protein. It is packed with antioxidants such as alpha-and beta carotene and has 245% of your RDI for vitamin A. It is as healthy as it is delicious. Enjoy, and Happy Fall, Y’all!