Eat Right: Give 'Em Pumpkin To Talk About!
This fall, New Jammies parents took note of a viral social media rumor about the contents in canned pumpkin pie filling used religiously at the holidays that had people talking. Many were shocked to learn the canned stuff is secretly butternut squash.
Oh, the humanity.
The snopes.com urban legend reference confirmed the rumor as true. “As much of 90 percent of pumpkin sold in the U.S. (and 85 percent worldwide) is a proprietary cultivar known as a Dickinson pumpkin, which are less photogenic than the type of pumpkins commonly used for display purposes,” Snopes reported.
The good news is pumpkin is a cultivar of the squash plant, so their nutritional values have similarities. Pumpkin and squash varieties, including butternut, acorn and spaghetti, are superfoods perfect for healthy fall recipes.
Pumpkin seeds — great for roasting, lightly seasoned, then snacking on — contain 1.7 grams of dietary fiber per ounce. Mashed pumpkin is high in fiber, with 3 grams, and low in calories, at 50 calories per cup. Pumpkin and squash boost vision, lower blood pressure, help with sleep, and promote heart health.
New Jammies loves sharing in the bounty of fall by eating well and teaching our children the benefits of healthy fruits and vegetables. These recipes will keep pumpkin and squash on the grocery list all autumn long. Happy harvest.
Best Ever Pumpkin Muffins
cookingwithmykid.com
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 8-10 minutes
Makes 30-35 mini muffins
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
pinch of salt
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 can 100% pure pumpkin
2 large eggs lightly beaten
1/2 cup canola oil or vegetable oil
1/3 cup lowfat Greek yogurt
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Spray mini muffin tins with cooking spray.
Mix flours, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice and salt in large bowl.
In a separate bowl whisk together pumpkin, eggs, oil, and yogurt.
Combine wet and dry ingredients until just blended.
Spoon batter into muffin tins. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
Transfer muffins to rack to cool.
Mashed Acorn Squash
wellnessmama.com
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Serves: 4-6
This simple and flavorful roasted acorn squash mash with a hint of coconut oil or butter and real salt.
Ingredients
2 medium size acorn squash
¼ cup butter or coconut oil
2 teaspoons real salt (or other natural salt)
Other spices (optional) Cinnamon, nutmeg, and garlic are good but not needed.
Sweeteners: Brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, coconut sugar
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Slice squash in half and scoop out seeds. Place face down in a large baking dish and add about ½ inch of water.
Bake for 30-45 minutes (depending on size of the squash) until the skin is easy to pierce with a fork and the flesh is soft.
Remove from oven and scoop out the flesh of the squash.
Place in bowl and add coconut oil/butter and salt.
Serve as you would mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes and enjoy.
Pumpkin (or Squash) Kale Risotto
What you'll need:
1 2-pound (5.45 kg) (medium) butternut squash or pumpkin, peeled and seeds scooped out (or 4 cups store-bought prepared, diced butternut squash)
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
6 ounces (170 g) thick-cut bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons (30 g) butter
2 tablespoons (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
1 leek, white and light green section, halved lengthwise and sliced
¼ cup finely sliced shallot or onion
1 cup (190 g) arborio rice
¼ cup (60 ml) dry white wine, such as pinot grigio
4 cups (1 l) chicken or vegetable stock
1 small Parmesan cheese rind, optional
4-5 cups stemmed Lacinato Tuscan kale, de-stemmed and chopped
½ cup (50 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Find more at Family Style Food
Healthy Pumpkin Pie Custard
www.sugarfreemom.com
This pumpkin dessert is gluten-free and low-carb. Add in some golden raisins for a healthy, chewy twist.
Ingredients
1 can (15 ounce) pumpkin purée
1/2 cup heavy cream
4 beaten eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons pumpkin spice
1 teaspoon pumpkin spice liquid stevia or vanilla liquid stevia or even cinnamon stevia
Optional toppings: Dairy Free Whipped Cream, Sprinkle of nutmeg
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray 6 ramekins or custard cups with olive oil cooking spray.
In a large bowl or stand mixer mix together pumpkin, cream eggs, spices and stevia.
Pour evenly into ramekins.
Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a knife in center comes out clean
New Jammies was born as an environmentally responsible company offering 100% certified organic cotton and flame retardant-free children’s pajamas. Learn more at newjammies.com.