Fall is the perfect time to enjoy pumpkins. My OSU Extension county office is located in Circleville, Ohio; home of The Circleville Pumpkin Show where you can find everything made from pumpkins. Although the show is over for 2016, check out the giant pumpkins shown at the event. Some of these pumpkins weighed over 1,600 pounds! When you visit the show, you can taste a wide variety of food items made from pumpkin. We have everything from pumpkin chili and sloppy joes, to pumpkin pancakes, to my personal favorite, pumpkin brownies.
Did you know that Halloween pumpkins are edible? Look for pumpkins that are firm and heavy for their size. They are good sources of Vitamins A & C. Pumpkins are also fat, cholesterol and sodium free. One half cup of pumpkin contains 25 calories, 6 grams total carbohydrate, 3 grams sugars, 1 gram protein and 1 gram of dietary fiber.
Looking for new ways to add pumpkin to your day? Try some of these recipe ideas:
- Pumpkin Seeds – when carving your pumpkin, take the seeds out and roast them. Kids love getting their hands all gooey with the fibers that attach to the seeds. Add a little salt and you can enjoy a nutritious snack.
- Pumpkin Pudding – a tasty light dessert that uses canned pumpkin. This easy mix and eat dessert brings fall to mind with the spices and fluffy pumpkin taste.
- Perfect Pumpkin Pancakes – celebrate fall with this tasty breakfast treat. This recipe makes 12 servings at approximately 11 cents each. Top with apple slices for a low sugar treat.
- Pumpkin Overnight Refrigerated Oatmeal – this new recipe combines rolled oats, Greek yogurt, pumpkin and spices for a tasty and easy breakfast.
Need more ideas for this fall “Superfood”? Check out the Fruit and Veggies More Matters website.
How will you get your Pumpkin fix? We want to hear from you. Share your story on the Live Healthy Live Well Facebook page.
Photo Credits: Jennifer Driesbach
Michelle Treber
Sources:
Goedkoop, S. Health-e-Recipes, American Institute of Cancer Research, Issue 628 retrieved October 7, 2016 from http://www.aicr.org/health-e-recipes/2016/pumpkin-spice-overnight-oats.html?_ga=1.45656932.1567956660.1370874924
https://extension.illinois.edu/pumpkins/seed.cfm
https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/nutrition-through-seasons/seasonal-produce/pumpkin
http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/canned-pumpkin-a-versatile-superfood-for-all-seasons
Written by: Michelle Treber, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Pickaway County, treber.1@osu.edu
Reviewed by: Marilyn Rabe, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Franklin County, rabe.9@osu.edu
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