Our love of pumpkin recipes doesn't end at Halloween. High in fiber and loaded with vitamin A, pumpkin is an edible delight for the entire season. And it's great for more than just sweets. Try this seasonal temptation with a kick of spice for a main course that will satisfy vegans, gluten-free eaters, and everyone in between.
See the pumpkin curry recipe after the break!
Next time you're cutting into a pumpkin, don't toss the seeds! Learn the easy way to prep and roast them so you can enjoy these crunchy treats all season long. Otherwise, you can also use pepitas, or hulled pumpkin seeds, found at most grocery stores. Keep the flavors interesting by trying out three different seasonings: olive oil and sea salt, buttery sweet and spicy, and soy sauce.
Happy Halloween! While today is all about the jack-o'-lanterns, tomorrow you may have more than your fair share of leftover pumpkins or rotting gourds. So if you've been carving up a pumpkin storm or otherwise decorating with pumpkins, here's what to do with the leftovers.
Pumpkin puree: Don't discard the insides of your pumpkin — you can add pumpkin puree to everything from baking to your morning yogurt. To make pumpkin puree with the pulp of your carving pumpkin, steam it until it's tender (about 30-45 minutes). If you're using a whole pumpkin, cut it in half and place on a baking sheet, cut face down, and roast for about 1 1/2 hours in a 350-degree oven. In both cases, let your pumpkin or pumpkin pulp cool a bit, then mash with a potato masher or food processor (after scooping it out of its skin if you've roasted a whole pumpkin). You can freeze any pulp you don't use and add it to any of these healthy pumpkin recipes.
Roast seeds: Roasted pumpkin seeds are easy to make and are the perfect go-to snack, either by themselves, as a trail mix addition, or sprinkled on salads. Spice things up with these basic roasted pumpkin seeds with seasoning ideas.
Compost the rest: If your jack-o'-lantern has seen better days, it's time to get rid of it. If you've got a compost pile, your leftover pumpkin will make a rich compost for your Fall garden. Cover with leaves to quicken the process.
The pumpkin patches of LA have been filled with famous faces all month long! Kids of all ages seem to love the fresh-air fun of perusing the fields in search of the perfect pumpkin to call their own. Check out some of the celebrity parents who enjoyed the Fall pastime with their kiddos in preparation for Halloween.
We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar. This week Shape turns to dietitian Cynthia Sass.
When I saw the New York magazine headline "Pumpkin Is the New Bacon," I have to admit, I rolled my eyes and thought, “Really?” But after reading the article, I get it. Pumpkin is popping up in dishes across the country.
One research firm noted a 38 percent jump in "pumpkin presence" on menus since 2010, and another discovered a whopping 400 percent increase in pumpkin drinks in the past five years. Sometimes it shows up in unexpected ways, like pumpkin tacos. But too often, it's folded into decadent dishes such as pumpkin fritters.
RELATED: 10 Delicious Ways to Cook Pumpkin
On its own, roasted pumpkin, and even unsweetened pumpkin puree, are nutritional all-stars, loaded with immune-boosting vitamin A and filling fiber. And it's relatively low in calories — one cup mashed clocks in at less than 50.
But when it's wrapped in layers of butter, refined carbs, and sugar, or simply a flavoring rather than the real deal, the benefits are pretty much null and void, and the calories rack up fast. Here are five of the worst offenders, with the three most egregious nutrition facts for each:
Panera Bread Pumpkin Bagel
Calories: 380
Carbs: 74 g
Sugar: 24 g
See the nutritional stats of other pumpkin treats after the break
Pumpkin fun doesn't have to end once the carving is complete. Instead of tossing the piles of seeds in the trash or compost, try repurposing them to use in art projects or as a delicious snack.
Check out the following selection of fun pumpkin seed activities and let us know — what do you do with your leftover pumpkin seeds?
Think pumpkin decorating is just for kids? Think again. With Halloween around the corner, we got into the festive spirit and created our own — not to mention very stylish — runway-inspired pumpkin for you to try out at home. It's super easy (around 30 minutes total) and no carving is necessary. Our inspiration point? The awesome studs and embellishments from Isabel Marant's Spring '13 collection. All you need is a bottle of spray paint (we chose gold but silver, red, or black works just as well), some studs, and you're set. Check out our easy step-by-step instructions in the slideshow and let us know whether you'll be trying this DIY project for yourself.
With just a sheet of orange construction paper, your tot can create this cute paper strip pumpkin that makes a really adorable holiday decoration, while you encourage your little one's budding cutting skills. Cut the strips the same width, or try thick or thinner lengths for a unique pumpkin. Threading the strips with the green pipe cleaner finishes the decoration and hones your child's concentration skills and focus. The cute paper strip pumpkins look adorable on mantels or dining room tables or on top of a favorite bookshelf.
While the traditional orange pumpkin is an image synonymous with the holiday of Halloween, it's time to mix things up a bit. Maybe you've already carved up a classic jack-o'-lantern; maybe you're getting a late start on the Fall festivities this year. Either way, nothing brings out the harvest spirit more than an awesome pumpkin from the patch. Here are a few unexpected pumpkin varieties that will bring some new love to an old tradition.
Keep reading for four more funky pumpkin varieties.
