Adding pumpkin to your recipes can be a lot of fun. And, to be honest, it should be! This vegetable is incredibly versatile, and also tastes great, which is a nice bonus.
But what should you be doing? How can you make pumpkin taste incredible?
Let’s find out.
Pumpkin Soup
The obvious choice is, of course, pumpkin soup. This soup is creamy and has a wonderful, warming texture that gets you ready for the cooler fall months.
Plus, you probably have all the ingredients you need to make it in your home already. All that’s required is some bone broth, garlic, onion and perhaps some cream. This dish is incredibly light and keeps calories low so you always feel at your best.
Pumpkin Pie
Another option is pumpkin pie, a classic and all-American favorite. This recipe is special because it mixes canned pumpkin puree with eggs, spices, and sugar. Then, all you need to do is pour it into a crust and bake until it sets.
Pumpkin pies are one of the most exciting desserts because they are so versatile. You can add pretty much whatever topping you want, from walnuts to whipped cream (or both if you really fancy it).
Pumpkin Bread
Another option is pumpkin bread. If you’re not keen on regular bread or just want to try something different, pumpkin actually makes a pretty good base.
Of course, you’ll still need all the usual ingredients, like flour, sugar, eggs and baking soda. But when you combine these elements, you get something out the other end that feels hearty and tastes delicious.
Pumpkin bread can come out any shape you want, but most people cook it in a conventional bread tin. Once you cool it down on a rack, you should be able to slice it like normal bread, although it will be much thicker and more crumbly.
Pumpkin Pasta Sauce
You might also want to consider pumpkin pasta sauce, another great option for those looking to make use of a large stack of pumpkins. Making sauce is pretty easy and incredibly versatile, especially if you’re keen on pasta dishes.
You start with the usual arrangements. First, you fry some garlic and sage in butter. Then, you add the pumpkin, cream and other elements (like Parmesan). Once that’s done, you toss the pasta and serve. It should be thick and creamy, a bit like blended tomatoes and cashew cheese.
Another option is to use ravioli or fettuccine. These add new layers of flavors that enhance the experience further.
Pumpkin Roll
Another option for fall is to find a pumpkin roll recipe online and give it a go. Because these are essentially cakes, they are a little more complex than the other items on this list but only slightly. Once you get the hang of them, you have so many more options.
Pumpkin rolls involve making the batter, baking it into a sponge, and then spreading the cream cheese filling on it. The hardest part is rolling the cake up into a roll, but you can use a baking sheet and perhaps a spare pair of hands to help you with that.
Pumpkin Pancakes
For something slightly easier, you might want to experiment with pumpkin pancakes. These are made using pumpkin pie spice mix and a pancake batter.
Pumpkin pancakes are essentially the same as regular pancakes, but with the addition of the pumpkin pureé. This pureé is something you can make yourself or, more commonly, get out of a tin. All you need to do is add it in the right proportions to your regular batter and start frying or place it in a pancake maker.
Pumpkin pancakes go with all regular toppings, like fruit and maple syrup, so they’re ideal for breakfast.
It’s Time To Start Using Pumpkin
During fall, millions of pumpkins are grown, but only a small fraction of them are actually eaten. Most wind up rotting with a candle inside.
But with these pumpkin recipes, you have options. Pumpkin is a delicious and versatile vegetable that you can use for desserts and a host of other recipes, including breakfast items.
What’s more, if you buy whole pumpkins, they are incredibly cheap. All you need to do is prepare them fresh. Usually, you can do this in one go on a Saturday afternoon, boiling the peeled flesh in a pot and then whizzing it up into purée and storing it in the freezer for your next baking session.
So, which of these recipes are you feeling most excited about?
