With all of the Jack ‘O’ Lanterns around these days, one might think that halloween is the highest purpose of the pumpkin. But the fact is that pumpkin is one of the most nutritious foods there is. Pumpkins are loaded with Alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, vitamins c and e, potassium, magnesium and pantothenic acid. They are low in calories and high in fiber. Pumpkin is available year round in canned form. Its inexpensive and convenient. The canned form of pumpkin is actually more nutritious than trying to use a fresh pumpkin because it is very difficult to find fresh pumpkin and most people don’t know the first thing about preparing a fresh pumpkin. Besides why do it yourself when the quantity and quality is assured by getting the canned version?
The thing about pumpkin is many people only eat it once or twice per year and then it is in pies, cakes, cookies and the like. But pumpkin can be added to many things like yogurt or applesauce (you’ll probably want to add a sweetener). There are also some great recipes for pumpkin soups, breads, muffins. I had been trying to come up with some ways for my family to eat more pumpkin and I came up with a pumpkin-oatmeal recipe that is really good. It incorporates whole grains from the oatmeal and it is a great cold-morning breakfast choice.
Cook 1 cup of steel-cut oats according to the directions. When the oats are done cooking add one 16 oz can of Libby’s 100 percent pure pumpkin (make sure that it is not the pumpkin pie filling but just pumpkin) Stir until its mixed in. Add cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and artificial sweetener to taste. Then you can add some other fruits for more antioxidant power. Blueberries or apples are great or any dried fruit is good also. Dried cranberries and dried blueberries are my favorites. Then just add milk or soymilk and enjoy. This makes alot so I usually end up eating a little and freezing the rest. But that is great too because you can just thaw it out and its all ready for you next time. But it is a great way to get some pumpkin in your diet without having to eat a pie!

This entry was posted on Friday, October 28th, 2005 at 2:38 pm and is filed under Health, Nutrition. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.