Do you love all things Autumn? Try out these 5 pumpkin treats that go beyond pumpkin pie to switch things up this Halloween.
Pumpkin Juice
This is a quick and easy option sure to please all the Harry Potter fans out there. In a matter of minutes, you can satisfy wizards of all ages with this simple at-home take on The Wizarding World’s pumpkin fizz.
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp pumpkin spice (can substitute with a combination of nutmeg, cinnamon, and all-spice)
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1 cup apricot nectar
Just combine the ingredients in a blender or cocktail shaker and blend until mixed together. Then serve over ice. Those interested in an adult version can add some spiced rum or vanilla rum.
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Here’s a healthier treat with enough variety to satisfy everyone’s taste buds while simultaneously eliminating food waste. The best part, you can use ANY pumpkin that you have on hand and they last for up to 3 months if stored properly in an airtight container. The bigger the pumpkin, the more seeds it has. Flavors range from sweet to savory and are easily customizable. Set up various seasoning stations to turn this into a fun tradition for the whole family to enjoy!
Start by preheating the oven to 300°F. In the meantime, scoop out the pumpkin seeds and spread them out on a flat surface. It’s important to remove any pumpkin “guts” to ensure that your seeds come out nice and crispy. A quick tip to separate the seeds is to place them in a warm bowl of water, swirl them around with your hand, and let them rest for about 5 minutes. In that time, the seeds should float to the top where you can easily scoop them out and pat them dry.
Toss the seeds with combined ingredients until fully coated. Spread the seasoned seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 20-30 minutes stirring every 10 minutes until golden brown. Let them cool for 5-10 mins before checking if they are crispy enough.
The following seasoning recipes are per 1/2 cup of seeds.
Salt and Pepper
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/8–1/2 tsp black pepper
Cinnamon Sugar
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Sweet and Spicy
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Find more in-depth flavor combinations here.
Pumpkin Butter
Once you whip this up, use it to top whatever you can think of – scones, toast, biscuits, you name it. Top with a dollop of whipped cream for a taste reminiscent of pumpkin pie.
Ingredients:
- 3 cans (15 ounces each) pumpkin
- 2 cups sugar
- 1-1/2 cups water
- 3 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp grated lemon zest
- 3 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 3/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Combine ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Cover and let simmer on reduced heat for about 20 minutes. Allow to cool and spoon into jars for storage for up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator.
Save yourself the trouble by reading 5 Easy Ways to Reduce your Daily Waste before you head to the store next!
