Pumpkins, its that time of year

The fall brings cooler weather and shorter days every year. It also brings the pumpkins. We usually only think of the colossal orange wonders during October and November, but a good pumpkin parent can keep them alive and edible for much longer.

Pumpkins are not only good for carving and scaring the neighborhood folks on Halloween but also for eating. Pumpkins are featured in many recipes during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season but it is a wholesome addition to meals all year round. If you can’t find fresh pumpkin, canned will work just fine.

Pumpkin has found the greatest popularity in desserts. Who has Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie? Those who aren’t used to working with fresh pumpkin make pie filling just fine with canned .

Pumpkin pie filling is great for mini tarts at a holiday gathering or a church function. The filling can also be cooked in small ramekin dishes and topped with whipped cream for a crustless treat.

Don’t limit yourself to pumpkin pies, though. Pumpkin bread tastes nothing like pumpkin for those who are like me and haven’t particularly taken a shine to pumpkin pie. The more pumpkin added to the recipe, the moister the bread will be. Serve with butter alongside a cup of coffee or hot cocoa.

Pumpkin bars remind some of pumpkin bread but they are denser than the bread. Pumpkin bars are topped with icing. They make sweet treats for kids after supper instead of cake and ice cream.

Any recipe that calls for sweet potatoes can be readjusted to accommodate pumpkin. Cookies, cakes, bars, pies, and muffins are a hint sweeter when pumpkin is added. Pumpkin fans can go all out for the holidays with a pinch of pumpkin added to the recipe.

Pumpkin can also be sliced up and used in stir fry recipes with other gourds like zucchini and squash. Served over rice or as a side dish for meats, guests will be eating pumpkin and won’t even know it.

The pumpkin in your recipe doesn’t have to be the main ingredient. A hollowed out pumpkin can be used much like a bread bowl. It can hold stews, soups, and chili that contain pumpkin, or not. The outer rind will stand up to the temperature and may even cook any remnants of pumpkin inside and add to the flavor.

What are you doing with those pumpkins this year? Add them to your favorite recipe and taste the difference.