December -- Pumpkin

Pumpkins can be a symbol or Halloween or Thanksgiving but don’t overlook them for a great source of nutrition!
Pumpkin, a member of the squash family, is a fast-growing vine similar to the cucumber.  It is actually a fruit.  Pumpkin is loaded with an important antioxidant, beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A in the body.    Vitamin A is very important in promoting good vision.  It also helps form and maintain healthy skin, teeth, bones and lower blood pressure.  One cup of pumpkin has only 50 calories and 3 grams of fiber.
The pumpkin seeds (pepitas) are also rich in beta-carotene and other antioxidants.  They are valued as a special source of the mineral zinc.

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Pumpkin, Kale, and Black Bean Stew  (adapted from allrecipes.com)    Servings: 10     Calories:  200

• 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 2 yellow onions, diced
• 5 clove garlic, minced

Heat above over medium heat until tender, then mix with below ingredients.

• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 bunch Lacinato kale, stems removed, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 (15 oz) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 large can of 100% pumpkin puree
• 2 tsp. cumin
• 1 tsp. coriander

Simmer together or put all of ingredients in a crockpot
When the vegetables are cooked, add:

• 1 (16 oz) can petite diced tomatoes, undrained
• ½ tsp salt or to taste
• 1 tsp ground black pepper

Stir in:

• 2 Tbsp sherry vinegar or rice wine vinegar prior to serving.

You may need to add more water if the soup is too thick.

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Mini Pumpkin Butterscotch Muffins   (adapted from allrecipes.com)   Servings: 48      Calories: 70

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt

Mix above in a large bowl

• 2 eggs
• ½ cup melted butter (can substitute ¼ cup melted butter and ¼ cup applesauce)
• 1 (16 oz) canned pumpkin

Whisk together in a separate bowl.  Mix the flour mixture with the egg mixture.  Then stir in the butterscotch chips.

• 1 (6oz) package butterscotch chips

Fill each part of the greased muffin pan to ¾ full.  Bake 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Makes 48 mini-muffins

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Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Bake  (adapted from allrecipes.com)

• 1 lb rotini pasta (or pasta of choice)
• 1 box Morningstar sausage links
• 4 Morningstar sausage patties
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup diced onion
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 ½ cups vegetable broth
• 1 (15 oz) pumpkin puree
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 2 tsp dried basil
• (or 3 tsp Italian seasoning)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Grease a 9X13 baking dish.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boil; cook the pasta until tender and drain.
• Cook and stir crumbled sausage links/patties, onion and garlic until soft.  Stir in vegetable broth, seasonings, pumpkin and salt.  Bring to a boil.  Lower heat and simmer for 5 minutes.  Stir in cream and simmer for another 5 minutes.  
• Add to cooked/drained pasta, stir in 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese.  Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish.  Top with another ½ cup of grated parmesan cheese if desired.
• Bake in preheated oven for about 35 minutes.

Servings: 12  Calories:  350

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Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake  (adapted from foodnetwork)

Cake:
1 (18 ¼ oz) package yellow cake mix
1 egg
8 Tbsp butter melted
Combine the above and mix well with an electric mixer.  Pat the mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased 13X9” baking pan.

Filling:
1 (8oz) package cream cheese, softened
1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger (Leave the ginger out for the substitutions listed below)
½ tsp nutmeg
1 (16 oz) box powdered sugar (this could be reduced to 12 oz)
Beat cream cheese and pumpkin until smooth.  Add the eggs, vanilla and butter and beat together.  Next add the powdered sugar and spices.  Mix well.  Spread pumpkin mixture over cake batter and bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes.  Make sure not to overbake as the center should be a little gooey.  Chopped pecans could be added to the top if desired.

Servings:  8