When it comes to food, there’s nothing more autumnal than pumpkin-flavored everything. While pumpkin pie is given the most attention at the dinner table, there are endless ways to enjoy this rich and creamy food. Mix it with spices, blend it with cream, or incorporate it with other fall harvest staples. On top of how delicious it is, pumpkin is an incredible superfood to add to your family’s diet.
Pumpkins are incredibly rich in vital antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients. A single cup of pumpkin contains over 200 percent of a person’s recommended daily intake of Vitamin A, which not only helps to keep your vision in tip-top shape, it also boosts your body’s immunity to help fight infection and viruses. The strong source of fiber in pumpkin will keep your family full longer on fewer calories. There’s also plenty of potassium found in pumpkin which will help restore the body’s balance of electrolytes. This means if you add a little pumpkin to your post-workout or post-playtime diet, it will help restore your muscles and keep them functioning to the best of their ability. This seasonal squash also boasts the antioxidant beta-carotene, which plays a role in cancer prevention, as well as keeping skin wrinkle-free and radiant.
For Meals
Rich and savory, pumpkin packs a lot of complex flavors to be enjoyed in any array of meals. You can find canned pumpkin in most stores, or you can make it at home with this wonderful pumpkin puree recipe. And if you really want to incorporate every last part of the pumpkin, hollow and wipe clean a pumpkin gourd, and use it to serve any of the recipes below for a special autumn touch:
For Snacks
Pumpkin seeds- baked and seasoned- make for one of the simplest, healthiest, and most delicious snacks around. Try a few of these recipes for awe-inducing snacks that are most definitely kid-friendly:
For Desserts
Savory and simple works for many delicious meals, but sometimes you just want something sweet to snack on. Pumpkin pie, watch out- you be may be dethroned as the reigning king of fall desserts.
Pumpkin is ultimately a low calorie, low fat, fibrous, and multi-nutritional item to use in your dishes this fall. It’s delicious, complex, and fully satisfying. Have your little ones help you cook and bake using kid-friendly pumpkin recipes this season.
