Showing posts with label National Pumpkin Month. Show all posts
Showing posts with label National Pumpkin Month. Show all posts

Roasted Pumpkin Seed Recipes

Great Snacks for roasting and toasting!  Don't throw out the seeds after carving your pumpkins into Jack-O-Lanterns or cooking those fresh baked pumpkin bowls because they make great snacks once you know how to cook them.

Pumpkin seeds have a nutty flavor that adults and kids love. Purists will want only salt as a seasoning, but if you like lots of flavor, experiment and have fun with seasoning blends. You can use everything from  to heat it up. You can use powder seasoning like cajun, garlic or what have you. All work really well with roasted pumpkin seeds. It all depends on what your taste buds are calling for, for the day.
.........................................................................................................................

This post is in honor of National Pumpkin Month / October
here's my youtube video about it.
........................................................................................................................


Pumpkin Seed Recipes

  • 1 1/2 cups pumpkin seeds
  • 2 tsp. melted butter or oil (olive oil or vegetable oil work well)
  • salt to taste
  • Options To Taste:
  • garlic powder
  • cayenne pepper
  • seasoning salt
  • Cajun seasoning blend

Preheat oven to 300° F.
Toss pumpkin seeds in a bowl with the melted butter or oil and seasonings of your choice. Spread pumpkin seeds in a single layer on baking sheet. Bake for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown. 
_______________________________________________________

Just pumpkin seeds
Tossed with olive oil and your favorite seasnings. Combine and roast at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes, stirring now and then. 
______________________________________________________

Kettle Seeds
  • 1/4 cup sea salt
  • Seeds from one pumpkin, "de-gooed"
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp coarse salt

Preheat the oven to 400F.
Fill a large pot with water, add the sea salt and bring to a boil.
Add the pumpkin seeds and medium boil, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes.
While seeds are boiling, spread olive oil on a cookie sheet.
Drain the seeds and pour onto the oiled sheet, tossing to evenly coat.
Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with salt, stir again to evenly coat.
Bake 10 minutes on the top rack of the oven.
Stir seeds, re-position the rack to the middle of the oven and return the seeds for a further 10 minutes.
Immediately pour onto a separate baking sheet or piece of foil to cool.
________________________________________________________

Toasted Pumpkin Seeds with Sugar & Spice
  • 1 cup raw pumpkin seeds, rinsed and dried
  • 6 tablespoons white sugar, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Spread pumpkin seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until dry and toasted. Larger seeds may take longer.
In a large bowl, stir together 2 tablespoons of white sugar, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Set aside. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pumpkin seeds and sprinkle the remaining sugar over them. Stir with a wooden spoon until the sugar melts, about 45 seconds. Pour seeds into the bowl with the spiced sugar and stir until coated. Allow to cool before serving. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Try this with Sugar and Cinnamon too!
___________________________________________________________

Spice it up seeds
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons margarine, melted
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 cups raw whole pumpkin seeds

Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C).
Combine the margarine, salt, garlic salt, Worcestershire sauce and pumpkin seeds. Mix thoroughly and place in shallow baking dish.
Bake for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
____________________________________________________________

Salty Cinnamon Seeds
  • 4 cups pumpkin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • egetable oil cooking spray

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Grease a cookie sheet and spread the seeds out in an even layer. Lightly sprinkle with salt and cinnamon.
Bake for about 5 minutes, then stir the seeds. Season with salt and cinnamon again. Continue baking, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes, or until seeds are toasted.
................................................................................................................


Thick Pumpkin Soup perfect for Bread Dipping

"Pumpkin soup is a soup made from a puree of pumpkin. It is made by combining the meat of a blended pumpkin with broth or stock. (In my case.... I also add cream cheese to make it thick and perfect for dipping crusty bread in)

It can be served hot or cold, and is a popular Thanksgiving dish in the United States. Various versions of the dish are known in many European countries, the United States and other areas of North America, and in Australia. (In fact... my Australian husband is the one who first made the soup for me and I fell in love with it!) Pumpkin soup was a staple for the prisoners of war in North Vietnamese prison camps during the Vietnam War."
..............................................................................................................................

In the photo above:
This is a picture of my pumpkin soup served in a baked pumpkin bowl. Keep an eye out guys because I will do a post on how to bake the pumpkin bowls too. I also saved the pumpkin seeds when I scooped it out and make some crunchy treats. I have a few recipes for pumpkin seeds if your interested in that too. LOL.
..............................................................................................................................

Remember this recipe for:
  • National Pumpkin Month / October / here's my youtube video about it
  • Halloween / October
  • Thanksgiving / November
  • National Soup Month / January
  • National Homemade Soup Day / February 4

..............................................................................................................................


Ingredients:
1 medium size butternut squash / pumpkin
8 oz cream cheese
yellow, red or green bell peppers
3 medium potatoes
1 large sweet onion diced
Chicken stock or water
1 stick of butter
salt and pepper

Sautee diced onions and bell peppers in the bottom of your soup pot.  When soft and translucent add your diced potatoes and butternut squash.  (if you bake the butternut squash first it does give a slightly different flavor / but both ways are great) 
Cover with as much chicken stock and water that it takes to cover all.
Cook on medium until all the veggies are soft and falling apart.
Use an emersion blender or put in an electric blender to blend smooth.
Place soup back into the pot and add your 8oz of cream cheese.
Stir until the cream cheese has melted and blended throughout the soup.
Taste.  If the soup tastes like it's to pasty... then you need to add another 8oz of cream cheese.  The size of your butternut squash/pumpkin and potatoes can change the taste slightly so you can adjust it by the amount of cream cheese that you use.  Add salt and pepper to taste.
Turn heat down to low and cook for another 30 minutes.

We like the soup thick, smooth and creamy.
You can always thin it down with more liquid chicken stock if you like it thinner.
................................................................................................................

Guys I really want you to try this soup. I kid you not; it's amazing! Thank you to my Australian hubby for introducing it to me many years ago.
"Live everyday like a holiday!"   Pam
.........................................................................................................


Cheese Pumpkins


Cheese Pumpkins
Originally uploaded by Betty Crocker Recipes
We're having guests over for drinks tonight and I picked this recipe for cheese pumpkins to serve with the drinks. I think it's a fun reminder of Thanksgiving and a great recipe to fix for National Pumpkin Month (October) too. :) Thank you Betty C.

Ingredients:

  • 8 tablespoons smoked Cheddar cold pack cheese food (from 8-oz container), well chilled
  • 2 teaspoons finely chopped peanuts
  • 4 butter-flavored pretzel spindles or sticks, broken in half
  • 16 tiny pieces fresh parsley leaves

Directions:

1. Line small serving plate with waxed paper. Roll each level tablespoon cold pack cheese food into a ball; place on waxed paper-lined serving plate. Refrigerate 10 to 15 minutes for easier handling.

2. With end of toothpick, draw ridges around balls to resemble pumpkins. Dip bottoms of cheese balls in chopped peanuts.

3. Just before serving, insert pretzel halves into cheese balls for pumpkin stems. Decorate with parsley for leaves. Store in refrigerator.

Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Puppy Treats Recipe



Celebration Food: Woof woof! This post is all about dogs and pumpkins. Did you know the month of October is National Adopt a dog month? And did you know October is also National Pumpkin month too? Well in honor of that, we picked a Betty Crocker recipe for dogs that has a whole can of pumpkin in it.  Give it a try and remember to make these special treats for other National Dog Holidays too. Last but not least, National Cook for your pet day is November 1st.

Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Puppy Treats Recipe
Originally uploaded by Betty Crocker Recipes
INGREDIENTS:
  • 3 cups brown rice flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup peanut butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat oven to 350° F. In large bowl stir all ingredients until soft dough forms.

2. Divide dough in half. Using brown-rice-floured rolling pin, roll each dough half to 1/2 inch thickness on brown-rice-floured surface. Cut with 3-inch cookie cutter. On ungreased cookie sheet, place cutouts about 1 inch apart.

3. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until dry and golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

4. Store in dog treat jar at room temperature up to 1 week. For longer storage keep in refrigerator or freezer.

Tip: To dress up your puppy treats, melt 1 cup yogurt chips (available at pet stores) and 1 teaspoon vegetable oil in microwavable bowl uncovered on High about 1 minute or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Drizzle over puppy treats.

Tip: Check with your vet to make sure that these puppy treats fit into your dog's diet. Be sure to check the recipe for any known foods or ingredients your pet may be allergic to.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Pumpkin Pancake and Pumpkin Butter Recipe


pumpkin pancakes.
Originally uploaded by msconnections
Remember this for: Pancake Day & National Pumpkin Month

Guys I really enjoy this meal & found a photo of exactly how I like to eat it too. For some reason I only eat this during the Fall season but I really should eat it more this winter. This photo by msconnections is showing it served with cottage cheese & pumpkin butter. I like it that way and I like it with whipped cream, pumpkin butter and pecans too.

Pumpkin Butter Recipe
  • 1 (29 ounce) can pumpkin puree
  • 3/4 cup apple juice
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 1/2 cups white sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1. Combine pumpkin, apple juice, spices, and sugar in a large saucepan; stir well. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes or until thickened. Stir frequently. 2. Transfer to sterile containers and chill in the refrigerator until serving.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Pumpkin Pancakes

  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons vinegar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

1. In a bowl, mix together the milk, pumpkin, egg, oil and vinegar. Combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon, ginger and salt in a separate bowl. Stir into the pumpkin mixture just enough to combine.
2. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

A Toast To All Things Pumpkin!

Pumpkin Mug
October 
October is National Pumpkin Month, October 26 is National Pumpkin Day & since we're in the last week of the month, it's our last change to make a toast to all things pumpkin. So raise your cups everyone!

We are about to say goodbye 
to October and say hello to November. I for one wish it didn't have to go yet. I just love seeing all the jack-o-lanterns all lit up. Even though pumpkins are still part of the Thanksgiving season in November, it's the end of National Pumpkin Month for October. So this post is in honor of the pumpkin.

As I mentioned on my website... The pumpkin is very versitile. We enjoy growing them in our gardens, we paint and decorate them, we carve them and we enjoy their ornimental fashions in our yards. We cook pumpkin soup, we bake them in the over and eat along side other meat and veggies, we even make sweet pies and pastries with them. We treat ourselves with roasted pumpkin seeds too. We play games with pumpkins and we place pumpkin on our porches and in our window sills. Why we even drink pumpkin spice coffees and milkshakes too. What would the Fall Season be without it? So here's to you pumpkin. We toast you.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pumpkin Spice Latte

  • 3 cups hot whole milk
  • 4 teaspoons white sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 6 ounces double-strength brewed coffee
  • 3 tablespoons sweetened whipped cream
  • 3 pinches pumpkin pie spice
Combine the hot milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and pumpkin pie spice in a blender; blend until frothy. Pour the mixture into 3 coffee mugs to about 2/3 full. Pour 2 ounces coffee into each mug. Garnish each mug with whipped topping and pumpkin pie spice. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pumpkin Pie Milkshake

  • 1/3 C pumpkin, canned 
  • 1/4 – 1/2 C milk
  • 1/4 t vanilla
  • 1/2 t cinnamon
  • 1/16 t cloves
  • 1/16 t nutmeg
  • 2 T brown sugar
  • 2 C vanilla ice cream
  • 1-2 graham crackers

Mix everything all together and gradually add the milk to the thickness you want.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Nite Nite everyone, Pam