Need some new fresh ideas for the holidays? Check out these recipes!

Using an entire pumpkin is a fun way to be creative and reduce on food waste! These recipes will provide you some fresh new ideas for the holidays that you and your family will love.

Pumpkin Seeds

1. While you seed the pumpkin, preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Scrape the pulp and seeds out of your pumpkin into a bowl.
2. Separate the seeds from the pulp and rinse the seeds in a colander under cold water.
3. Shake them dry and spread the seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast 30 minutes to dry them out.
4. Make it your way by adding spices! Toss the seeds with little olive oil, salt and your choice of other spices. Return to the oven and bake until crisp and golden, about 20 more minutes.

• Try cinnamon and sugar for a little something sweet.
• Chili powder for some spice!
• BBQ seasoning or even BBQ sauce for some fun flavor.
• Or, just a little salt and pepper to enjoy the true nature of the seeds.

Use the other part of the pumpkin for the following awesome recipes!!

Since you have already scraped the inside clean, cut the pumpkin into sections. Once you have cut the pumpkin into small manageable pieces, place them in a pot on the stove top to soften (you can also do this in the microwave if you would prefer). Place a small amount of water at the bottom of the pot to help steam the pumpkin. Once it is soft enough and cool to touch you should be able to remove the skin easily. This will allow you to use fresh pumpkin for the following recipes!

(Remember, DO NOT use a pumpkin that has been sitting out from being a jack-o-lantern. This should be a fresh pumpkin for the best flavor and to avoid mold or bacterial growth within the pumpkin).

Pumpkin Bread

Serves 24

Ingredients

• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup softened butter
• 3 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups of your cooked pumpkin or a 15oz can of pumpkin
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2t baking powder
• 1/2T baking soda
• 1t salt
• 3/4t ground cinnamon
• 1/4t ground cloves
• 1/4t ground nutmeg
• 1/2c milk

Directions

1. Grease and flour two 9”x5” loaf pans and preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cream sugar and butter together. Use a mixer to get it well combined and then add egg, vanilla and pumpkin.
3. In a separate bowl mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
4. Alternate adding flour mixture, and then milk to pumpkin mixture.
5. Pour the batter into prepared pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Pumpkin Pancakes

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup of your pumpkin puree or about ½ can pumpkin
• 1 egg, beaten

Directions

1. Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg together.
2. Whisk milk, pumpkin, and egg together in a bowl. Pour milk mixture into flour mixture and stir until just moistened. Batter will be slightly lumpy.
3. Heat a lightly oiled griddle over medium-high heat to 350 degrees. Make 4-inch pancakes with the cook until bubbles form. Flip and cook until browned on the other side.

Hope you enjoy these recipes! Fall is also a great time to take a brisk walk. If you have any fun pumpkin recipes, please feel free share.

Amanda Garant

Registered Dietitian

Motion 4 Life Fitness